Sussex Living East April 2019

E!EW RER N

F U YO

April 2019

RETIREMENT

ACTIVE FINANCE FOR YOU

DAYS OUT

BEXHILL SUNSHINE SEASIDE TOWN

ST PETER & ST JAMES

EQUESTRIAN

Bob Champion & Aldaniti

A sanctuary in Sussex

CRACKING Easter Fun

!

Y w TR ho S ENuntry ials

r Co se T E e r E ac Ho l P FRFirle and

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Inside...

8

Cover Stories 8

13

14

48

56

Bob Champion

Bob Champion & Aldaniti Wonder horse and rider

Free Entry!

Firle Place Country Show and Horse Trials

Bexhill-on-Sea Visit this sunshine seaside town

St Peter & St James A true sanctuary in the heart of Sussex

Active Retirement Keeping your finances in order

Features 20

34

52

Home Front

An idyllic Easter Cottage

A Dedication

To senior paperboy, Derek Lester

Heather Families A surprisingly large flower family

Regulars 36 Uckfield to Newick Walk

A varied linear ramble

64

68

Body Buzz

Pizza

Editor’s Comment

56

What a packed issue we have for you this month from our Active Retirement feature, to a champion tale of horse racing, loads of gardening and a beautiful Easter home, plus some yummy cookery ideas to keep the kids entertained during the holidays.

Have a great month,

Retirement feature

Sara Whatley ASSISTANT EDITOR

Don’t forget, if you miss the latest issue of Sussex Living you can read it all online! Just visit www.sussexliving.com

6XXSUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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Tel: 01825 768077

Email: hello@sussexliving.com

www.sussexliving.com

/sussexliving

@sussexliving

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20 On The Home Front

36

52

Uckfield to NewickWalk

38

40 42 44 51

62 64

66

Heathers

66

It’s a Dog’s Life

Teddy takes to the keyboard this month

Book Review Puzzle Page Spotlight Events Blooming Times

How to make a cutting garden

It’s All About Charity Body Buzz Row your way to fitness

Beauty & Fashion

Heat free beach style hair

68 Pizza!

Child friendly recipies for holidy fun

Beauty

72 Diary Dates 76 Money Matters 82 March Puzzle Solution

Classifieds 77 Local Business Directory

14 Tel: 01825 768077

Apr19contents.indd 7

Email: hello@sussexliving.com

www.sussexliving.com

Bexhill -on- Sea

/sussexliving

Tel: 01825 768077 hello@sussexliving.com www.sussexliving.com @sussexliving

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27/03/2019 12:54

EQUESTRIAN

Forty years ago began a tale of companionship, tragedy, glory, and a legacy that continues to this day. Robert Veitch tells us the story

Champion AND THE

Wonder Horse T

his fairytale involves a horse born in 1970 to an unremarkable bloodline, called Aldaniti, his owner Nick Embiricos, the Findon based trainer Josh Gifford, and a jockey from Yorkshire called Bob Champion.

Bob and Aldaniti finished third at the 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup. In buoyant mood Bob went to Aintree for the Grand National that year. “I was third in the jockeys list at the time.”

Finishing sixth in 1973 behind Red Rum, sixth in 1975, and fourteenth in 1976 were his best results. Success remained elusive as Bob’s mount, Purdo, fell at Becher’s Brook, in a race won by Rubstic.

Reunited with Aldaniti the duo

8 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

ventured to Ayr for the Scottish Grand National in April. Leading as they approached the final fence Bob wasn’t complacent, “I knew the other horse was coming fast, so just kept galloping.”

“I had a lump and thought it was the result of a kick…

I didn’t do anything about it” Bob and Aldaniti were runners up, to a horse called Fighting Fit. The irony being neither of them would be fighting fit by Christmas.

“We had one more run together, we won at Haydock,” Bob recalled. It was

their 22nd and final race together for almost two years.

Bob was thirty-one and arguably in the prime of his career, “I suppose I was, I was flying at the time,” he recalled. But in July he received devastating news when diagnosed with testicular cancer. “I had a lump and thought it was the result of a kick… I didn’t do anything about it.”

In Bob’s absence, Aldaniti went lame at his next race at Sandown that November. For the horse it was one of a series of injuries in a career riddled with them. Aldaniti first went lame in January 1976 and again in November 1977. After Sandown, problems caused by two chipped bones in his leg kept him stable-bound for over a year.

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His owners were advised to have him put down. But like his jockey, the horse with frangible legs was made of tougher stuff.

At one point Bob was so weak, he had barely twenty minutes to live. “I had septicaemia. They got me back to the hospital just in time and changed my blood. The police stopped our car for speeding; then gave us an escort to The Royal Marsden.”

But was it really the seemingly impossible dream of winning the Grand National that inspired his recovery?

Bob’s reply was simple, “Us jockeys are

brain dead, we dream the impossible.

Josh Gifford was loyal, the yard were loyal. They said my job was always there to return to. But I kept out of their way – I didn’t want them to see me as I was. The chemotherapy was so aggressive I lost 30% of my lung capacity during treatment. I never got all of it back and can still feel it on cold mornings.”

With Aldaniti’s injuries disappearing into the rear view mirror, Bob was back in the saddle. “I got back on the horse and rode three fences prior to a chase at Ascot.” It was February 1981, “He was so strong. We won at a canter.”

The team made the journey from Findon to Liverpool in good time

They were optimistic but realistic, or as Bob put it “I thought I was a certainty to win”

Nick Embiricos, Bob and Aldaniti

10 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

for the race on 4th April. They were optimistic but realistic, or as Bob put it, “I thought I was a certainty to win.”

As the start of the worlds’ greatest steeplechase neared, public knowledge of, and empathy with the AldanitiChampion story escalated. They were

With the Queen

backed all the way down to 10-1 and second favourite behind Spartan Missile.

1979 winner Rubstic was third favourite.

For Bob preparation was simple.

“Focus on the race, know who to beat, don’t follow poor jumpers. You can’t win the National on the first circuit, but you can lose it… You can lose it at any point,” he noted with a chuckle.

Aldaniti made mistakes at the first three fences. Bob remembered vividly, “ jumping is the name of the game, and he over-jumped. He was ambitious, intelligent, a joy to ride, and moved through the field.”

On television, commentator Julian Wilson monitored the tenth fence. “On the outside going well, is Aldaniti.” He took the lead at the eleventh, and never relinquished it.

Four fences from home, Aldaniti and Royal Mail were seven to eight lengths clear of the field. Jumping the last, Royal Mail wasn’t travelling well, while Spartan Missile was closing quickly.

Peter O’Sullevan’s eloquent tones reached a crescendo on the television commentary at the denouement. “And here comes John Thorne, 54 year old John Thorne, putting in a storming finish (on Spartan Missile)… But Aldaniti is gonna win it…. A fairytale outcome to the 1981 Grand National.”

“Spartan Missile got within ¾ of a length at the elbow, but I won by four lengths,” Bob reminisced. “I celebrated with John Thorne that night, he was a good friend. It would have been fantastic if he had won. He was killed in a point to point the following year. I would have given my victory for him to live.”

3,000 people were at the yard the following day to welcome the winners back to Findon. In those days it was an item broadcast as the ‘and finally’ moment on the news. And that’s where most Grand National stories conclude, where normal life resumes. But this one was different.

Punters began sending their winnings to the Royal Marsden as Bob remembered “Yes, that’s right, it’s how the Cancer Trust got started, thanks to the spirit and generosity of the public.”

John Hurt, Aldaniti, Bob and Jan Francis

In December 1981 Bob and Aldaniti beat England’s Ashes winning cricketers to the Team of the Year Award at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

1981’s winning combination returned to Aintree in 1982 to defend their title, “I wasn’t as confident,” Bob revealed, “we were worse off in the handicap.” Those reservations were confirmed when they fell at the first fence. Aldaniti was retired on the spot. It proved to be Bob’s tenth and

last National ride. “ I rode a winner at Wetherby the week after, then I retired.

Of course I missed it, but you have to retire sometime.”

Aldaniti moved from Findon to the Embiricos farm at Kirdford in West Sussex. Bob reminisced “Over the years, I would pop in and see him sometimes, if I was in the area.”

The duo’s story was made into the 1983 film ‘Champions’ with its evocative, emotive theme music. “Its very good

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Fundraising

Focus on the race, know who to beat, don’t follow poor jumpers music,” Bob recalled, “played by the Royal Philharmonic, conducted by Carl Davis. The film was very accurate and John Hurt did a terrific job.”

That same year the Bob Champion Cancer Trust was born. “It grew from those public donations with the support of the Embiricos family and Sir Michael Peckham, my surgeon.”

Horse and jockey took part in some of the ‘Champions Parades’ that precede the Grand National. “I don’t know if he knew where he was,” Bob recalled. “But I could tell he was excited. We certainly enjoyed the atmosphere.”

Over the following years, Bob and Aldaniti were reunited on many other occasions, making fundraising appearances for the Cancer Trust, helping to raise around £6,000,000 by the end of 1996.

Alas, old age caught up with Aldaniti, and his final race was run as 12 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

he succumbed to a heart attack at his Kirdford home in March 1997. It was another tough day for Bob, “He was a great part of my life.”

Research into Prostate and Testicular Cancer is ongoing.

In 2000 The Bob Champion Research Centre was opened in conjunction with the Institute of Cancer Research. In 2015 The Bob Champion Research and Education Building opened, to be operated by the University of East Anglia.

Despite a heart attack in 2001 and another on the same date in 2011, Bob’s enthusiasm for the Cancer Trust is relentless, “I’ve got to be active.

We’ve got two research labs to run, we’ve always got something on. The people in this country are fantastic with their support.

In December 2011, nine months after the second heart attack Bob was in Manchester to receive the ‘Helen Rollason Award’ at ‘Sports Personality of the Year.

He paused… “That meant more to me than anything really.”

Roll on another six years and Bob’s car was one of 1,400 destroyed in a New Years Eve fire

at the Liverpool Echo Arena. He lost many photos that were to be used in his autobiography ‘I’m Champion, Call me Bob’ but remains stoic, “It was just one of those things.”

Bob still visits Findon, “I pop in. It’s been good to me. I’ve ridden around Cissbury Ring a few times over the years.”

Josh Gifford died in 2012 and Nick Embiricos followed in 2018, leaving Bob as sole survivor of a celebrated quartet. Having helped raise almost £15,000,000, he looks to the future and his ongoing mission with the Cancer Trust… “Good God, I couldn’t retire from this, what would I do?” l

For further information: www.bobchampion.org.uk www.bobchampion.com

Aw

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LOCATION

Bexhill

From the largest Charleston dance to the biggest gathering of mermaids, Bexhill-on-Sea really has it all. Peter d’Aguilar wanders the streets and tells us more about this seaside town

T

he ancient, tranquil and self-contained south coast seaside town of Bexhill is renowned for its friendly inhabitants, health-giving sea air and hospitable climate. Its two-mile stretch of coastline has a gently-sloping beach and a generous promenade for walkers and cyclists.

Having defeated the men of Hastings, Anglo-Saxon King Offa of Mercia granted Bexhill a charter in 772 AD; setting up a church and a local religious community. Having inflicted heavy damage on the town during the Norman Conquest, William I rewarded one of his loyal knights

and later played an important role in the Battle of Waterloo. Despite the hostilities between England and France, many of the local population were actively trading with the enemy through smuggling, most notably the Little Common Gang. Smugglers and excisemen finally came into serious conflict in 1828, at the infamous Battle of Sidley Green.

In 1813 Elizabeth Sackville married George, 5th Earl De La Warr, and in 1865 the couple inherited Bexhill.

Their grandson Reginald, the 7th Earl, had the idea of transforming Bexhill from a small rural village into an exclusive seaside resort. He built the

first sea wall, the De La Warr Parade and the luxurious Sackville Hotel.

His son Gilbert then commissioned a seafront pavilion for ‘refined entertainment and relaxation’ and a bicycle track. The advent of the railway in 1846 also gave a boost to the local tourist trade.

In 1902 Bexhill became an Incorporated Borough – the first Royal Charter granted by Edward VII and the first ever to be delivered by automobile. To celebrate the town’s newfound status and to promote the resort, the 8th Earl organised Britain’s inaugural motorcar races along De La Warr Parade – establishing Bexhill

The Old Town is the original hill settlement founded by King Offa by giving him Bexhill Manor. This then passed through both private and ecclesiastical ownership until Queen Elizabeth I acquired it in 1561. She in turn presented it to the influential Sackville family.

In 1804 Bexhill became a garrison for King George III’s German Legion, Hanoverian troops who had managed to evade Napoleon’s army 14 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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Family Activities for Easter

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Children can complete our quiz and win a free Easter egg Good Friday April 19th and Saturday 20th April only

Plus Children’s Easter arts and crafts On Thursday 11th April children can make an Easter bonnet, an Easter garden, decorate Easter eggs or make a model of the museum’s famous “Easter Egg” car. Pre-booking essential.

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The Northern Hotel, 76 Sea Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1JN Tel: 01424 212836

For details and prices visit www.bexhillmuseum.co.uk or phone 01424 222058. The museum is open seven days a week Bexhill Museum, Egerton Rd, Bexhill on Sea,TN39 3HL Registered charity number: 1102638

There is no better time to join us Cooden Beach welcomes new members to join this friendly golf club and there is no better time to join. The Club is so much more than just golf, with a full calendar of social events from tribute bands to restaurant evenings and our superb Sunday lunches there is something for everyone. So, if you are thinking of joining a golf club for the first time or perhaps moving from another club please give us a call or pop in to chat over a cup of our finest coffee.

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Contact us on 01424 842040 or by email: enquiries@coodenbeachgc.com April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 15

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as the ‘Birthplace of British Motor Racing’. The Bexhill 100 Festival of Motoring, held along the seafront, celebrated this important milestone in motoring history between 1990 and 2002, when the final festival commemorated the centenary of the original races. In 1999 the organisers launched the Bexhill 100 Motoring Club - which stills exists today, despite the demise of the festival. The Bexhill 100 Motoring Club Classic Car Show continues to take place each August bank holiday Monday at the town’s Polegrove Recreation Ground.

In 1935 Herbrand, the 9th Earl De La Warr and Bexhill’s first socialist mayor, initiated the creation of the De La Warr Pavilion - an Art Deco and International Style art gallery, concert hall and restaurant designed by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff as one of the earliest examples of Modernist Movement architecture in a major British public building. It closed for major restoration and refurbishment in 2003, reopening in October 2005.

Today the Grade I listed pavilion proudly overlooks the seafront as a major contemporary arts centre and venue for quality entertainment.

The borough of Bexhill divides into nine distinct areas. Central Ward constitutes the main part of the

The De La Warr Pavilion

The advent of the railway in 1846 also gave a boost to the local tourist trade

town - with its eclectic range of shops, railway station, library and Pavilion.

As its name suggests, the Old Town is the original hill settlement founded

by King Offa. To the north is Sidley, a residential area with its own high street. Pebsham lies to the east; as does Glyne Gap, which features a retail and leisure park. Little Common is a small village to the west with a variety of independent shops. Cooden, in the south-west, plays host to a large hotel, golf and tennis clubs. Collington is a residential area near Cooden.

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Barnhorn, also in the west, is recorded in an Anglo-Saxon charter as Berna horna.

Bexhill has a wealth of cultural, dramatic, operatic, recreational, social and sporting clubs. The town has two cricket clubs and two Non-League football clubs. There is a sailing club, a rowing club, a well-equipped leisure centre, an indoor pool, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor bowling and two highly-rated golf courses. The attractive Marina Court Garden opened on

Bexhill has a wealth of cultural, dramatic, operatic, recreational, social and sporting clubs the seafront next to the De La Warr Pavilion in 2015. The nearby, freshlyrenovated King George V Colonnade has gift shops and a café.

The High Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest just north of the town is the only known sessile oak woodland in East Sussex. Bexhill is also a rich stamping ground for fossil hunters. In 2009 the world’s oldest spider web, with an estimated age of 140 million years, was found encased in amber in Bexhill.

Part of the world’s smallest dinosaur

was discovered at Ashdown Brickworks in 2011 on the outskirts of the town.

Bexhill earned itself a degree of infamy at the start of the twentieth century for allowing the first mixed bathing in England. It also has the distinction of holding the world record for the largest Charleston dance and the largest gathering of mermaids.

Amongst the many eminent past and present residents of Bexhill are the inventor of television John Logie Baird, British Open golf champion Max Faulkner, TV chefs Fanny and Johnnie Cradock, dramatist Sir David Hare, actor Desmond Llewelyn (Q in James Bond), artist and printmaker Eric Slater, Pot Black commentator Ted Lowe and novelist Angus Wilson. Bob Marley played his first UK concert at the De La Warr Pavilion, to raise funds for a local swimming pool.

Comedian and artilleryman Spike Milligan was famously stationed for a time at the Pavilion during WWII – perhaps explaining why the Germans abandoned plans to invade Britain via Bexhill as part of Operation Sea Lion! l

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An Easter Cottage Set in a woodland glen, this 18th century fairytale cottage is simply singing with charm and character, having been lovingly restored by creatives Benjamin and Georgina Finn

EXTERIOR

The weatherboarded cottage has a large garden and owns the stretch of woodland behind

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 21

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SITTING ROOM

The sitting room extension with its oak-beamed ceiling is furnished with a sofa purchased at auction and a vintage chair covered in its original 1930s fabric.

The curtain across the door is an old Sanderson print that came from Georgina’s grandmother’s house

B

Benjamin and Georgina Finn’s timber clad cottage down a quiet wooded lane could have sprung fully-formed from a fairytale. It is hardly far-fetched to imagine Red Riding Hood coming out of the door with that little cake in her basket and making for the woods.

Intriguingly little is known about simple rural homes like this, originally a oneup one-down cottage built sometime during the eighteenth century. But for the Finns, the place cast its spell from the moment, more than 20 years ago, when Benjamin came upon it by chance as he was out walking one Bank Holiday Monday. He was

AT HOME WITH...

THE OWNERS: Benjamin and Georgina Finn. They live here with their children Gabriel, 18, Mary, 15, and Bridget, 12 THE PROPERTY: The cottage dates back to the eighteenth century and has been extended over the years to accommodate the Finn’s growing family

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 23

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DINING ROOM TABLE The Easter table is laid with all kinds of eggs as well as the Pascha and the fruit bread that is traditionally eaten with it. The embroidered cloth from Greece was a wedding present

The bold stylised flowers and leaves on the cupboard in the dining room were painted by Georgina’s grandmother

waiting to meet Georgina and when she arrived, he said he had something to show her. “He took me to the cottage and the door was wide open so we went inside,” says Georgina, vividly recalling their first impressions. “There were only three rooms and we stood there deciding what colours we’d paint them if it was ours. Then we went for a walk in the woods and came back to the cottage and sat in the wild garden and made daisy chain crowns.”

It was an afternoon when good fortune continued to smile.

Leaving the cottage they asked a man they met in the lane if he knew who owned it and learned that the cottage had been empty for 20 years but was now on the books of a local agent.

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KITCHEN

The beamed kitchen is one of the oldest rooms in the house. The china cupboard was painted by Georgina who also sewed the patchwork curtains from old dress fabrics including some from her mother’s dresses

Painted eggs and tiny birds decorate the twig tree in front of the window

It had been the gardener’s cottage, part of the estate next door. “When we contacted the agent,” Georgina continues, “we found there was quite a bit of interest in the cottage including from people who wanted to pull it down and develop the land. It was being sold by sealed bids but we pitched our tender well and our bid was the one accepted.

Strangely, we weren’t jubilant because it felt like ours anyway.”

Benjamin immediately began work on basic repairs to the cottage including virtually rebuilding what is now the dining room. “There was a kitchen, sitting room, one bedroom, a bathroom under the stairs and a loo in a shed outside the back door,” Georgina explains. “We moved in on the day we were married in May 1992, and lived in the cottage just as it was for more than two years.”

By then Gabriel had been born and they were concerned about the increasingly precarious structure of the cottage. They obtained a renovation grant to deal with essential works and moved out for more than a year, living nearby with Georgina’s mother in her old family home. Approval was granted to add a small extension at the back to provide an indoor bathroom and the Finns took the opportunity to build a bedroom above it at the same time.

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Mary paints hand-blown eggs with Easter imagery

The children dye and paint eggs that are shared out at the party and we also hang them on a twig tree that I set up on the table

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As work progressed, more problems were revealed. The old staircase was dangerous so that was replaced and the chimney was condemned and re-built.

At the same time, the cottage was replumbed, put on mains drainage, rewired and central heating was installed.

As the ground floor only provided a kitchen and small living room, they were also allowed to enlarge what had been the old bathroom and add a further room at the side. At first it was used as a playroom but is now the main bedroom. Its walls and ceiling are clad with boarding from oak trees that came down in Georgina’s mother’s garden in the Great Storm of 1987. “The trees had all been sawn into rough planks and stored,” Georgina says, “and we had a timber mill cut and plane the wood for our log cabin room.”

So many changes might have stolen the heart from this old building, but the Finns have remained true to its spirit. And there were more changes to come. In 2009, now with three children, the living area was too compact for comfort but there was no question of moving. The Finns obtained permission to add an extension at the back to include an additional bedroom above. Re-arrangement of existing ground floor rooms also gave an extra lavatory and utility room. “The whole house is timber framed including the extension,” explains Georgina,” and it is clad with weatherboarding in the local tradition. We used builders we found at an eco-building exhibition.

They specialise in oak-framed houses and even used recycled newspaper for insulation.” The new room links to the old living area, now the dining room, by a pair of Gothic doors that came from a reclamation yard in Colchester, as Georgina recalls with amusement.

“Ben and I found them at different times on the same day and he had the sense to buy them at once while I was trying to check with him first but hadn’t managed to reach him on the phone.”

In furnishing the cottage, Georgina has drawn on her love of folk art, especially eastern European painted furniture, embroidered and vintage fabrics and patchwork. “I’ve been influenced by the style of my grandmother’s house. She was an artist who continued to paint furniture and ceramics well into old age.” In the cottage, Georgina has put together colours, fabrics and furniture that respond to its rural simplicity. Nothing is thoughtlessly imposed.

The enlarged living area comes into its own for festivities and the Finns are unusual in decorating the cottage at Easter as well as at Christmas. They always have a big party for family and friends on Easter Monday when, weather permitting children spill

The family cat, Paddy, finds a round bowl is perfect to curl up in

MAIN BEDROOM

Walls, ceiling and floor in the main bedroom are boarded with oak from trees that came down in Georgina’s mother’s garden in the Great Storm of 1987. The chandelier and the painted Victorian wardrobe were bought at auction. Georgina turned a Christmas decoration into a key tassel for the door

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out into the large garden and climb up into the tree house that Benjamin built. “We live near a monastery and attend services there,” Georgina explains, “and the 40 days of fasting during Lent are traditionally followed by a feast. In the week before, the children dye and paint eggs that are shared out at the party and we also hang them on a twig tree that I set up on the table. I make an Easter Pascha which is a rich mixture of nice things we’re not supposed to eat in Lent.

The recipe includes cream cheese, eggs, cream, butter, raisins and candied peel, and is made in a pyramid-shaped mould.

It’s eaten with sweet fruit bread that’s a bit like Panettone.”

Party food and Easter decorating are an opportunity to bring out the large collection of vintage china that Georgina spent months sourcing for a friend’s wedding breakfast.

Some favourite pieces live permanently on a high shelf above the door to the kitchen, others on the painted cupboard in the dining room. There is plenty more for the Easter table

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and to decorate the long windowsill in the sitting room with jugs, cups and bowls filled with spring flowers, eggs and tiny feathered birds.

Part of the enduring appeal of the cottage is that the changes made to the structure have been so well conceived.

The exterior looks just as it did on the couple’s first memorable encounter.

“It has grown organically,” Georgina agrees, “and for us it’s truly been a labour of love.” l

BATHROOM

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The Delft tiles are an antique set the Finns found at an antiques fair and have interspersed with plain white tiles on splashbacks

Photos: Polly Eltes/Narratives Text and styling: Celia Rufey/Narratives

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DEDICATION

DOING THE ROUNDS

Active retirement can help older people maintain a healthy lifestyle in later years; so we set Robert Veitch’s alarm to early o’clock and sent him out to be inspired by one of Sussex’s senior paperboys

W

hen I put it to eighty-eight-year-old Derek Lester, that he might be the oldest paperboy in Sussex, there was a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders and a whimsical look in his eye. “I read somewhere there was a lady of ninety-two doing this,” he quipped with a smile.

Derek used to work in an office, but retired at 60. Not long after, he found himself in hospital, and in the operating theatre. He recalled, “I had a heart by-pass in my early 60s and my Doctor advised me to keep on the move. This was because it would help my recovery and because it would be good for my ongoing health and wellbeing.”

I was persuaded to Seven to eight is nine to five become a ‘paperboy’ for me, at my time of life by my wife, although I hadn’t done a paper round in my youth. I like walking too, so it made sense.”

Derek delivers to around twenty houses. “I get up just after six, have a cup of tea and get ready to go.”

Unlike some of his colleagues Derek doesn’t have the pressure of going to school, or getting to work for the nine to five. “Seven to eight is nine to five for me, at my time of life,” he chuckled.

After almost twenty-five years of delivering, Derek might be more tortoise than hare these days or, “not as quick as I used to be” as he puts it, but he still has good reason to get up in the morning and enjoy his daily routine.

“I try not to sit around like older people often do. What I do is better than being stuck indoors all day, it’s good exercise and I have no reason to be lazy.”

“It’s only snow and ice that really defeats me, so I give it a miss when the weather is bad.”

Derek meets his customers from time to time while he’s delivering and bumps into dog walkers as well. “I’ve got to know some of them quite well.

I feel part of the community.”

Derek has his fans too and John Bennett, who lives at the top of a reasonably steep drive, told me, “It’s great to find someone of his age who is willing to come out in almost all weather, and with such a fine selection of hats too.”

“I do still enjoy it,” Derek said with a grin, “I remember my Doctor’s advice, and hopefully I will keep going for as long as I can.” And with that he was off, ambling back home to his wife. l Sadly, Derek passed away shortly after being interviewed.

His wife Jo was still keen to have the article published, hopefully inspiring others to stay active in retirement.

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LOCAL WALK

UCKFIELD TO NEWICK

WALK

This month our resident wayfarer, Robert Veitch was sent on a solivagant mission, trekking the wonderfully varied footpaths en route from Uckfield to Newick

L

eave Uckfield bus station, trotting north over Bellfarm Road at the pelican crossing.

Turn left and walk west, past the fire station, turning 90° right at the allotments and 90° left shortly after. Follow the footpath for just over 300m, all the way to the playing fields.

Head north past the playground and football pitches, traffic noise diminishing behind as the playing fields narrow ahead, eventually joining Calvert Road.

Turn left, then right into Egles Grove, bearing left by the truncated oak into the 27 acres of West Park Local Nature Reserve.

The route arcs left, beyond the giant oak towards the boardwalk. Swing right at the end of the second boardwalk, wandering uphill between two huge slabs of sandstone, to the kissing gate and road.

Cross the road and turn left, walking towards oncoming traffic. On the right, just before the bridge is a kissing gate.

It leads to a glorious gem, an arboreal wonderland, and a sandstone stunner – this oasis is Lake Wood. It’s well worth taking 15-20 minutes to lap the lake, clockwise or anti-clockwise, the path

leads back from whence you came.

Immediately across the bridge, turn right at the ‘Wealden Walks’ sign, then left at the green fingerpost 50m later.

The path brushes the rhododendrons as it heads downhill, skirting the scrub at the bottom, all the way to concurrent bridges crossing the Shortbridge Stream.

The path cuts straight across the field, kinking left on the far side when entering the adjacent field. Head for the barns, passing rusting farm machinery along the way. The first stile of the day lands on the Fairhazel tarmac. Follow it for 350m, as far as the road junction.

as far as the tee, and water fountain behind. Alas, the fountain doesn’t work!

The three-way fingerpost points right, downhill across the fairway and into the woods. A small bridge crosses the stream, beside a yew tree. Over the other side, follow the fence to the drive, and the drive to the road.

The A272 through Piltdown should be crossed with care, before turning right and following the path, lined with stakes resembling a rustic pavement.

Across the grass, take the gate to the left of the coniferous hedge. Across the track and stile the path twists left and enters a sea of silver birches, heading due north for about 500m, arriving at a gate made from a single metal bar.

Turn left and walk down the drive, to the pair of 6ft gates. Beyond these, head downhill, over the stile, across the paddock, over another stile and along the hedge-lined avenue to a stile in the bottom left corner of the field.

Bear right and after crossing the next stile, trek across the field and navigate the bridge. Keep to the edge of the field, uphill through the pair of metal gates,

The work of Shanks’s pony is done; Relax in the scenery while waiting for the bus…

Enter the woods across the road, the path snaking a way with twists and turns, emerging into the light behind the 12th tee of the golf course.

The path slices around to the right, joining the 13th fairway by a post. Turn left and hug the edge of the fairway

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© Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 035/19

around a second field and into a third. Beyond the silo an old kissing gate leads into the graveyard. Turn left and follow the path between lichen-covered gravestones, a solemn tranquility.

Arriving at Fletching High Street, turn left, then right into Mill Lane by the War Memorial. Just after the raised pathways and bridges across the River Ouse take the gate on the left. Over the subsequent stile, follow the brick wall leading round to the right. Beyond the gates, keep left of the hedge and walk towards the power lines.

An 8-bar gate opens into another field, a stile beyond and a brace of bridges within the wood.

Beyond the trees, wander uphill through young verdant spring crops to the concrete drive.

Turn right and after 200m, turn left into Alexander Mead. The road bends right and the path resumes at the end. Turn left and after 200m Newick Green appears. The work of Shanks’s pony is done; relax in the scenery while waiting for the bus… l

Robert has tested the route personally, making sure it is suitable for walking. However, even he cannot guarantee the effects of the weather, or roadworks, or any other factors outside of his control.

If you would like to send your feedback about a local walk, please email editorial@sussexliving.com

Distance: 7 miles Walk Time: 2½ - 3 hours Stiles: 8 Map: Explorer 135 Refreshments: Take your pick in Uckfield and Newick Buses: Service #31 hourly, Monday to Saturday in both directions, between Newick and Uckfield Parking: Free parking at Luxford Field in Uckfield and on Newick Green

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PETS

It’s a Dog’s Life It’s all change this month as Teddy takes to the keyboard. A new Border Terrier for a new era of the literary ramblings of a dog’s life

T

hose of you with sharp eyes will have noticed that it’s a different dog stepping up to the keyboard this month.

I’m Teddy, Rolo’s literary apprentice for the past year, learning my craft from the master, who, in difference to his seniority, wisdom and household rank, I refer to as ‘the Boss’. Now I don’t want to instigate an outbreak of mass hysteria and national mourning, but the Boss, after sixteen years and three months of living life to the full, finally wore himself out and has departed to the place of endless dog biscuits to eat and ethereal bunnies to chase. We are, naturally, very sad, but the Boss left specific instructions, and in addition to the mixed blessing of his hand-knitted coat collection, I’ve been bequeathed his literary legacy to continue, as best I can.

Now the Boss always accepted folk for what they were, and, whilst we had our similarities, we also had our differences. As far as similarities, I’m the same breed: a Border Terrier. I am, in fact, about a third bigger than he was, which is helpful when a bit of presence is required, or for reaching something left

high up, out of range.

I’ve also got a thicker coat and, depending where I am in the grooming cycle, can be more bear and less Teddy.

I’m also more peoplefocused. The Boss liked people well enough, he just didn’t really care about their good opinion and, if he

The Boss left specific instructions, and I’ve been bequeathed his literary legacy to continue, as best I can wanted something, he’d go for it and live with the consequences. But I do care.

I genuinely don’t like it when people are cross with me, and although I can be naughty at times, I’m more mindful of the outcome. The Boss accepted that, although with the caveat that there were no ‘yes’ furs on his watch!

Still, there are some things I’ve done which, without wishing to boast, the Boss didn’t manage. Take for example, accessing upstairs and the hallowed master bedroom. The Boss was banned and this was reinforced by a tactical stairgate. However, I’d been allowed free run of the house with my previous owner, and, after several broken nights when I first arrived, ‘Them Indoors’ realised that the only way anyone was going to get some sleep was if I was allowed to kip in the same room as them.

True, I’m not allowed to sleep on the big bed, although I keep trying. In order to avoid trouble, when I’m having an illicit nap I keep half an ear open, and when I hear footsteps I jump off and curl up, innocently, on the floor. The terriersized, warm dent in the duvet is a bit of a give-away, but unless I’m caught redpawed, I’m not told off. Now that kind of terrier cunning is something the Boss definitely approved of and a skill we had in common, so I reckon I can follow in his paw-prints, with a few adaptations of my own, just watch this space! l

38 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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April 19 Teddy SLE.indd 39

27/03/2019 13:06

BOOK REVIEW

Elizabeth Kay offers Sussex Living readers her thoughts on recent reads that have caught her attention. She gives her views on a selection of books from different genres which may capture your interest she works in her father’s scrap yard, doing things that would horrify Health and Safety. But despite the lack of basic care, she cannot entirely shake off the indoctrination she has received over the years. She does manage to escape, and her eventual journey to Cambridge University is astonishing. The book is very well-written, and the author’s honesty in finding truth to be evasive due to different recollections of the past is fascinating. It is remarkable that in this day and age parents can deny their children any sort of education and health care. I found myself appalled over and over again, but the book is a testament to how powerfully our childhood affects the rest of our lives.

The fact that Tara does not end up bitter and resentful is little short of a miracle.

EDUCATED

by Tara Westover (Windmill Books) This is the true story of the unconventional upbringing of a girl in a rural community in the mid-west USA. There are six children altogether, and their parents are fundamentalist Mormons who do not believe in modern medicine or education. Tara is supposedly home-schooled, but she is staggeringly ignorant about the world around her. As soon as she is old enough

Tara is supposedly home-schooled, but she is staggeringly ignorant about the world

The behaviour of the characters is credible, and the way the family falls apart is gripping

ONLY CHILD

by Rhiannon Navin (Mantle) This sounds too awful to bear – a story told by a six-year-old child, Zach, about a multiple shooting at his school, which causes the death of his older brother.

But actually, it’s a very good read. The behaviour of the characters is credible, and the way the family falls apart as each member tackles their loss in a different way is gripping. The child who died, ten-year-old Andy, was not an angel, and this probably makes coming to terms with the tragedy somewhat harder for those who knew him. Although it’s never stated outright the gunman, the son of the caretaker, had a personality disorder that bore a lot of similarities to Andy’s erratic and

MRS SHUFFLEBOTTOM

by Tamsyn Chambers (FastPrint Publishing)

It is nice to see a children’s book about an animal that many adults consider to be rather unpleasant. Toads do a great deal of good, keeping down garden pests, and this is the story of one toad who encounters a number of different animals, both wild and tame, and is advised which are to be avoided by a robin. She eventually finds herself in a greenhouse, where the enlightened owner is very pleased to offer her a home. Eventually she grows up enough to leave the shelter of the greenhouse and venture out into the big wide world. The book is nicely presented and illustrated with photographs rather than

40 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

frequently unpleasant behaviour. It’s said that it’s easier to get over the death of someone with whom there were no issues, where there was nothing to resolve, and this illustrates it well. The child’s voice is convincingly written, although he frequently has remarkable insight for one so young. Nevertheless, it didn’t interfere with my appreciation of the book. The press doesn’t come out of it very well, and the intrusive attitude of the TV stations and their interviewing techniques are thoroughly believable.

The book is nicely illustrated with photographs rather than drawings, and the text is large and legible drawings, and the text is large and legible. I do take exception to a spider being called an insect, mind you, even though it has subsequently been given its Latin name (which ought to be in italics). It is also true that foxes and cats tend to avoid toads, as they are poisonous enough to cause an adverse reaction, although not to prove fatal.

However, I shall assume that these facts are unknown to the toad and the robin, and written from their viewpoint!

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April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 41

PUZZLES

PUZZLE PAGE SUDOKU

A simple process of logic is all that it takes to solve each puzzle in this game. Put the numbers 1 to 9 in each vertical column and each horizontal line. Each number must appear only once in each column and line and in each of the 3x3 boxes in the grid.

CLUES DOWN

1. Doctor’s client (7) 8. Huge (7) 9. Continuous (3-4) 10. Instructor (7) 11. Twister (7) 14. Scarlet (3) 16. Ended (4) 18. Musical ending (4) 19. Jealousy (4) 20. King of beasts (4) 21. Information (inf.) (3) 23. Substitute (5-2) 26. Largest ocean (7) 28. Oblivious (7) 29. Order (7) 30. Unity (7)

1. On time (8) 2. Male voice (5) 3. Additional (5) 4. Walk gingerly (6) 5. Jane Austen novel (4) 6. Small salty fish (7) 7. Successor (4) 12. Midday (4) 13. Pull (4) 15. Small hollow (4) 16. Cooker (4) 17. Ball game (8) 18. Dandy (7) 22. F ormer Portuguese currency (6) 24. Saying (5) 25. Male duck (5) 26. Kiss lightly (4) 27. Open tart (4)

42 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

Each number in the grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off.

Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

CROSS CODE

CLUES ACROSS

QUICK CROSSWORD

Place a different arithmetical sign (add, subtract, multiply, divide) in each circle so that the total of each line across and down is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

EQUALISER

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

9

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EVENTS

SPOTLIGHT EVENTS Have a Cracking Easter at Drusillas Park!

Sun 28 April

Easter holidays You’ll come face to face with hundreds of exotic animals, plus your little monkeys will adore the themed adventure play areas and rides! With appearances from all of your favourite characters throughout the Easter holidays, including Hey Duggee, Peter Rabbit, the PJ Masks and more! Plus, new for 2019, a beautifully mesmerising Rainforest Carousel - the first of its Easter kind in the UK! There’s so much to see and do at Holidays Drusillas; it’s definitely no ordinary zoo!

Visit www.drusillas.co.uk for exact dates!

Wed 8 to Sat 11 May

Baldwins Travel #CruiseInspirations Show

The Gondoliers by Eastbourne Gilbert & Sullivan Society

Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th May This feel-good comic operetta tells the tale of two just-married Venetian gondoliers, who discover that one of them (they don’t know which) has just become the King of ‘Barataria’ and was wed in infancy to the daughter of a Spanish Duke. A riot of romantic rivalry and farcical confusion ensues, until the king’s identity is finally revealed, and happy endings abound!

The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne Tickets £16, Concessions £1 off, Thursday £12 Groups buy 9 tickets, get 10th free. Under 16s & Students £5 www.EastbourneGandS.com

Mon 22 to Sat 27 April

The Mousetrap at The Hawth, Crawley Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th April Come along and discover why The Mousetrap has kept people guessing for so long, becoming the longest running show of any kind in the history of theatre. This unstoppable West End hit has been delighting theatre goers for 67 years and now it’s your chance to watch Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunnit unfold at The Hawth in Crawley. Starring Gwyneth Strong (Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders), you will experience shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner.

Box Office: 01293 553636 or visit hawth.co.uk

Sunday 28th April, 10am to 3pm Join Baldwins Travel and 20+ cruise operators at the #CruiseInspirations Show on Sunday 28th April. Open from 10am – 3pm at Bewl Water, Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH. Come and speak to cruise champions and cruise colleagues for lots of ideas and inspiration. You can even book on the day in the pop up travel agency. Register online for Free Entry to the show (usual Bewl Water parking charges apply) and to be entered into the Free Prize Draw to Win a Cruise for 2 courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

Visit www.cruiseinspirationsshow.co.uk for more details. Bewl Water, Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH

13/14 & 20/21 April

Eastbourne Artists Spring Open Houses and Studios Weekends of the 13th & 14th and 20th & 21st April Eastbourne Artists Open Houses and Studios have been running successfully for many years.

With a large and eclectic number of artists and makers, the Open Houses and Studios are a wonderful way to meet them, see their work and support their practice. For artists in venues

44 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

across the town, this is a lovely, informal, yet valuable way to connect with their audience and show the rest of the community what they do.

For full details of all those participating the brochure is available from Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre or to download a brochure visit: www.eastbourneartists.co.uk

Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens Easter Monday 22nd April to Tuesday 7th May, 10am - 5pm The spectacular Tulip Festival sees Pashley carpeted with over 35,000 tulips, creating stunning scenes for visitors to enjoy - wandering from elegant displays of white lily flowered tulips around an old brick terrace, to the sweeping herbaceous borders covered in a riot of reds and oranges.

Yet more tulips are on display as

Easter Family Days at Pickhams

cut flowers and representatives from Bloms Bulbs are on hand throughout the Festival to answer queries and take bulb orders.

With a café serving teas, cakes and lunches, gift shop and exhibitions of garden sculpture and floral art, Pashley’s Tulip Festival makes a superb day out.

Tickets: £11.50 pashleymanorgardens.com 01580 200888

Gala Open Day for Sussex Horse Rescue Trust Sunday 5th May, 11am to 4pm Come and join Sussex Horse Rescue Trust for a fabulous day out to raise awareness

and funds for a great cause! Tea and homemade cakes, pony grooming, donkey walking, games, Sun 5 activities, meet the rescued May horses and donkeys, education room, bric a brac and tack shop, farrier demonstration, raffle draw and more, fun for all ages!

Entry £4 Adult/£2 Child (under 3’s free), £10 Family of 4, free parking, disabled access Sussex Horse Rescue Trust, Hempstead Farm, Hempstead Lane, Uckfield TN22 3DL www.sussexhorserescuetrust.org.uk

Beltane Fire Festival Bank Holiday Weekend – Friday 3rd to Monday 6th May After the long winter, it’s time to get together with warmth and friendship, a time for joy and celebration. At the time of Beltane, the ancient festival to celebrate the warmer and longer days of spring. It’s a beautiful time of year, May blossoms, birdsong, often clear warmer days and starry nights.

The weekend is open to people of all ages, with a wide range of talks, workshops and activities to include Yoga, Bushcraft skills, kids workshops and games, archery, martial arts, song and dance, falconry and much more.

Make your May Bank Holiday a wildly

Sun 21 & Mon 22 April Sat 30 Mar & 6 April

The Garden Show at Firle Place puppet shows and the Easter Egg & Pirate Treasure hunt. Life is good in the Garden!

Adults £8, Seniors £6, Child £3 (4yrs and under FOC), Family £20 (2A & 4C), Groups £5 (advance booking 20+) Firle House closed for renovations No dogs allowed except to assist In support of www.hohcharity.co.uk www.thegardenshowonline.com 01243 538456

Fri 3 to Mon 6 May

© Sara Russell Photography

Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd April, 11am - 4.30pm There is something for all the family at Pickhams. Open Gardens, craft activities, yarn basket making workshop, art exhibition, birdsong ‘walkshop’, refreshments, storytelling by local children’s authors and a Reverse Egg Hunt!

Decorate the wooden eggs, follow the map and find the hidden nests to return the eggs. Artists have been commissioned to create nests so your eggs will complete the art installations for everyone to enjoy at future events in May, June and August.

Free entrance to garden only (donations invited) Book your tickets online for the Egg Hunt, workshop and activities via the website www.pickhams.com Pickhams, Wilmington, Polegate BN26 6RR 01323 705153

Friday 19th to Sunday 21st April, 10am to 5pm The place and time to plan for the garden year and be inspired to enhance home and lifestyle. Browse and enjoy specialist growers, artisan and craft designers, homewares, garden and home furniture, fashion and delicious country foods. Garden advice and free talks daily, funfair, archery, birds of prey displays, face painting, jester juggling,

Mon 22 April to Tue 7 May

enchanting weekend to remember!

Early Bird Tickets are now on sale www.in2wild.com

Fri 19 to Sun 21 April

Sat 16 & 30 Mar

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 45

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Find an eclectic mix of stalls including quirky garden ideas from May’s Terracotta, Italian clothing and accessories by The Feminine Touch and delicious food and drinks from Tpodz Tea Room all at The Horam Emporium, Horam High Street

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COME & SEE US AT THE FIRLE GARDEN SHOW Easter Weekend – 19th to 21st April 46 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

MAYS EST 1983

TERRACOTTA

Experience Horrible Science activities this Easter holiday 6 – 22 April

Visit kew.org/wakehurst Horrible Science® is a registered trademark of Scholastic Ltd. And is used under authorization. All rights reserved.

Based on the bestselling books written by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles. Illustration copyright ©Tony de Saulles.

Licensed by Scholastic Children’s books through Rocket Licensing Ltd.

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 47

COMMUNITY

Sussex

St Peter & St James Hospice is a ‘sanctuary’ in the heart of Sussex. Kathy Brown, the hospice’s Communications Manager, shares some of the unique charms and personal touches that make it such a special place

SANCTUARY

P

lots of wildlife to see. You’re very likely to encounter squirrels, rabbits and deer, and we’re in the perfect location for a spot of bird watching!

eople often worry that hospices are dark and depressing places. However, people who stay at St Peter & St James Hospice or access its day services often describe it as a ‘sanctuary’ or a ‘home from home’.

THE WOODLAND WALK Patients, families and visitors often enjoy walking through our private woodland.

Evidence suggests that just 15 minutes wandering through trees can decrease stress levels, so it’s wonderful to have such a calming space on our doorstep.

The woodland is particularly beautiful in spring when visitors are treated to a vibrant display of hundreds of bluebells.

HOSPICE DONKEYS Our donkeys, Dudley and Dylan, inhabit a large paddock opposite the hospice entrance. They bring people great comfort – and entertainment – often coming up to the fence for a stroke or nuzzle, or mischievously throwing their wellies around the field! Recently they’ve been enjoying regular walks too, visiting patients on the ward, which provides families a positive distraction.

PRIVATE BEDROOMS WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS All of the ward bedrooms are private, 48 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

PERSONALISED, COMPASSIONATE CARE We understand that no two experiences are the same and that people value and prioritise differently.

We have the time to get to know people and listen to their needs and wishes, and our care is tailored to every individual, focussing on the things that matter to them.

Patients can host movie or curry nights, share in birthday parties and other celebrations, or simply have a quiet space to chat meaning people have their own space and can easily welcome family or friends.

Rooms can be made homely with photos or special items, and patients can host movie or curry nights, share in birthday parties and other celebrations, or simply have a quiet space to chat. Each room has beautiful views of the Downs too.

WILDLIFE With the hospice being so rural, there’s

DELICIOUS, HOME-COOKED MEALS Home-cooked food is one of life’s simplest pleasures, and we’re very passionate about it! Our talented cooks rustle up tasty, nutritious meals every day for patients and their families to enjoy, as well as fresh sandwiches, salads and sweet treats. The team can respond to special requests too.

We’d love you to come and see for yourself what St Peter & St James Hospice is really like. We’re hosting an Open Day on 18th May from 1.30 -5.00pm, where you can explore all of the above and admire stunning local artist exhibits. l For more information visit: stpjhospice.org

Over 500 acres of stunning gardens, magnificent woodlands, tranquil nature reserve and natural play spaces

Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex For details and events visit kew.org/wakehurst Midsummer_Stroll_A4_v3_190x136.pdf

19/02/2019

P E T E R

&

18:12

S T

J A M E S

H O S P I C E

Registered charity number: 1056114

S T

2

23RD JUNE 2019, 9AM – BORDE HILL GARDEN Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, RH16 1XP Enjoy a 2, 7 or 10 mile sponsored walk through the beautiful parkland of Borde Hill and beyond, taking in sweeping views of the stunning Sussex countryside as you raise money to help local families.

Entry is £15 before 31st March and £18 thereafter

Register at stpjhospice.org or call us on 01444 471598 April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 49

n o i t i t e Comp

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Transform your garden this Summer

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106-108FM, DAB or online at www.moreradio.online 50 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

BLOOMING TIMES

make a cutting garden A cutting garden takes up little space, requires no design skills and can be made in a weekend, explains Flo Whitaker

T

he evolution of the great country house necessitated the invention of the cutting garden. How to provide vast quantities of blooms for indoors without plundering the ornamental flower beds? By making a separate area solely for the production of cut flowers - with plants grown in straight lines to make harvesting easier.

A cutting garden is fun to make and can be created in a small space, (mine is 6ft x 6ft!) No clever artistry, tasteful colour schemes or fancy design elements are required - but not everyone appreciates them.

To horticultural aesthetes, (defined as people who talk endlessly about gardening but never actually

do any) a cutting garden is a nervejangling, technicolour mish-mash. Fools.

Choose a sunny, open situation for your cutting garden. Add slow-release fertiliser to the soil and dig in plenty of organic matter, (compost or leaf mould.)

Hardworking plants will reward you if given fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Don’t make your bed(s) too wide - everything needs to be within easy reach. If necessary, make a simple path out of chipped bark, or lay a couple of paving slabs onto the soil to use as stepping stones. Be vigilant about staking, tying in and deadheading.

Flowers destined for the vase need strong, straight stems - use robust plant supports and get them in early.

A horizontal ‘grow-through’ plastic mesh or a ‘web’ of garden twine will safely support heavier flowers, such as dahlias and sedums.

Fast-growing annuals are the backbone of a cutting garden; they will romp away from an April sowing.

Cosmos, larkspur, ammi, Snapdragon

Zinnia Larkspur

cornflower, zinnia and nicotiana enjoy each other’s company and can be relied upon to harmonise in a flower bed or vase. Linaria is a lesser-known annual. You might find it listed as ‘Toadflax’, but don’t let that deter you as the blooms resemble miniature snapdragons. Speaking of which, snapdragons, (antirrhinums) make fabulous cut flowers. Forget the nasty bedding types - look for elegant varieties such as ‘Liberty Crimson’, or ‘Axiom’. Their long-stemmed genes hark back to the days of Victorian and Edwardian florists, when snapdragons were a favourite cut flower.

Grow foliage/filler plants in your

Long-stemmed snapdragons hark back to the days of Victorian and Edwardian florists, when they were a favourite cut flower borders so you always have a plentiful supply for arrangements. Tough customers that can stand a regular snipping include varieties of euphorbia and nepeta, along with heuchera and alchemilla. Perovskia is doubly useful for the flower arranger; providing aromatic foliage from early summer and masses of tiny blue flowers as the season progresses. Cineraria and helichrysum petiolare are usually relegated to the summer bedding aisles but they offer vase-worthy silvery/grey leaves with a felted texture - perfect for teaming with sweet peas. Leafy herbs such as sage and apple mint are deliciously fragranced and may even take root in the vase water giving new plants for free. l

Cosmos

Cornflower April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 51

GARDENING Gaultheria or box-berry is another low growing shrub in this family. There are over 100 varieties listed, some invasive. The pale urn shaped flowers lead to a colourful display of autumn berries. One variety is used to obtain wintergreen, a flavouring or used in muscle rubs. The flowers of Enkianthus chinensis are among the most decorative in this family.

It will surprise many readers to learn that rhododendrons with their larger trumpet shape blooms belong to this family. Rhododendron ponticum, the invasive species, is natural to most of Europe but was largely killed off in the last period of glaciation. Enough survived and multiplied for it to Gualtheria become a nuisance berries in some countryside areas in modern times.

There are over one thousand rhododendron species and innumerable varieties.

Mainly temperate plants, there are sub-arctic and sub-tropical varieties.

The wide range of plant size and colour has led them to be widely planted and they are a backbone of the garden plant industry. Two varieties were developed in the Lower Beeding area of Sussex; in a country lodge in the 1880s two species were cross pollinated which resulted in the spectacular Loderi group.

Then at a residence across the road his neighbour grafted cuttings on to variety Heather is so much more than simply the small delicate R. ponticum to obtain Loder’s White, a highly regarded scented variety. pink, purple and white flowers we find in our gardens, Blooming slightly later than as Peter Erridge explains rhododendrons are the Kalmias. There are two main varieties having the common names mountain laurel and ention of ‘heather’ and of shrubs with some herbs and trees. sheep laurel. These Ericaceae have most people would The flowers are often bell shaped and shallow bowl-shaped flowers in large think of the low growing with a wide variation in size. Mostly the clusters of white, pink or red colours flowering plants in their flower colours are white, pink or red. garden or the swathes of colour across This family of plants is economically giving impressive displays. Pieris, also known as ‘lily of the valley plant’ has Ashdown Forest in late summer. These important for food and the garden plant young foliage which is brightly coloured plants belong to a botanical family industry. Several species have edible followed by the typical urn shaped spring called Ericaceae. It comprises over 4,000 berries the most well-known being the flowers arranged in hanging racemes. species divided into over 120 genera, cranberry, a variety of Vaccinium. This that is groups of plants with similarities. group also includes huckleberry, bilberry Nearly a dozen varieties are listed.

Leucothoe or dog-hobble, is another There are around a dozen groups which and blueberry. On the other hand member of the Ericaceae. The young are frequently found in our countryside the fruit of the smaller garden shrub leaves are brightly coloured followed in or gardens. The family consists mainly pernettya is quite tasteless.

Enkianthus

happy

HEATHER families

M

Vaccinium corymbosum autumn foliage and berries

Leucothoe

52 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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Vaccinium corymbosum

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growing shrub with bell shaped flowers, white or shades of pink, in spring and early summer. The leaves are very similar to the herb rosemary.

HEATHERS These grow naturally in temperate climates and tolerate acidic, infertile soils. To grow in such poor soil they associate with fungi which help them to obtain nutrients and the evergreen leaves then retain the nutrients.

and in some cases changes in foliage colour to add interest. Daboecia have larger bell shaped flowers. Bees are attracted to them so that in some areas heather honey is available.

This large family of plants can provide great interest for gardeners, visitors to big gardens and country walkers all of whom should restrict themselves to visual appreciation and not attempt to eat the berries, unless they have specialist knowledge. l

The leaves are toxic to humans and most animals. However in winter, scarcity of fodder leads to grazing sometimes with fatal results.

There are three main groups of heathers – Calluna, or Ling; the Erica’s; and the Irish heath Daboecia.

Careful selection can give almost year round blooming

Pieris formosa

May with small flowers. Later in the season the foliage gradually turns to red, with some leaves being retained. Andromeda or bog-rosemary is a low

Kalmia

Erica

Photos: Chris Roe and Peter Erridge

The pale urn shaped flowers lead to a colourful display of autumn berries

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ACTIVE RETIREMENT

BE RETIREMENT

Savvy

W

ith the traditional carriage clock retirement fast becoming consigned to history, recent YouGov research on behalf of Age UK suggests that 50% of 40-64 year olds will not have enough money to fund their retirement.

Thankfully there are options for those with an expected financial shortfall and steps that can be taken to bolster retirement finances. Here we look at ways to prepare for the financial transition to retirement and suggest practical options that could help to boost your income.

PREPARING FOR RETIREMENT Retirement planning can be difficult as your income needs to last as long as you do, but very few of us know how long that will be. Obviously the earlier you start saving towards your retirement the better, but once you hit your 50s, it is a good idea to assess your financial situation while there is still time to make a difference.

Those with a workplace pension should get a forecast to see if they need to start increasing their contributions and research the impact of delaying retirement. You can also check your entitlement to a State Pension.

Those with over 35 years of National Insurance contributions should be entitled to a full State Pension, but if you were in a ‘contracted out’ scheme, paying National Insurance at a reduced rate, this will affect your entitlement.

56 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

A comfortable and secure lifestyle needn’t end when you retire, read on to discover Lisa de Silva’s savvy funding options to see you into your twilight years Could you earn extra money from gardening, baking, sewing, dog walking or training people?

This is also a good time to trace any old pensions you may have had in the past. This can be done through a former employer, the name of the pension provider or by contacting the Pension Tracing Service which is free and can be accessed on the GOV.UK website. If at all possible, do try to clear your mortgage and any outstanding debts while you are still working, as being debt-free will also relieve the burden on your retirement income.

The longer you put off retirement the more time you have to build up your savings and pension fund. Talk to your employer about the possibility of working more flexible hours or think about any retraining that could help to secure future employment with another company or in another field.

BOOSTING INCOME DURING RETIREMENT Those struggling on a low retirement income should get a Benefits Check as help is available to get extra Pension Credit, reduced Council Tax, as well as help with housing, health and heating costs. Free bus passes are offered to those reaching State Pension age and there are more general travel concessions for the over 60s on offpeak rail and bus fares. Although it

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is currently under review, those over the age of 75 years also receive a free Television Licence.

Do set a budget for household expenditure and don’t forget to take inflation into account. Look at where you can make savings by shopping wisely using money-saving coupons and promotional discounts. This is also a great time in your life to take advantage of discount vouchers for meals out and trips away.

Those with over 35 years of National Insurance contributions should be entitled to a full State Pension Another way to boost income includes starting a business. This could be turning a hobby into an enterprise and with multiple online sales platforms now easily accessible, startup investment can be minimal. Could you earn extra money from gardening, baking, sewing, dog walking or training people in the skills you have developed over the years?

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PROPERTY MATTERS For most of us our most valuable asset is our home and if your home is now too big and too expensive in terms of bills and upkeep, an obvious solution is to downsize. The capital released can be used to finance a smaller home and provide a useful cushion of money to improve the quality of your twilight years. Another option is to sell a larger home and buy two smaller properties, one for you to live in and one as a rental property that can provide an income.

Alternatively, you may wish to keep your home and rent it out while you use the income to rent and live in a smaller property, either here or abroad. In fact, the rental income could finance a travel adventure that you’d always promised yourself. Another way to stay in your home is to offer rooms on a bed and breakfast basis or through holiday-let websites to generate extra cash.

An equity release scheme can also be a way to free up the money in your home without having to move but do take professional advice before embarking on this route. There are two main types of equity release; lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. A lifetime mortgage is taken out on your property to release the equity. You can

Buy two smaller properties, one for you to live in and one as a rental property choose to either make the repayments or let the interest roll-up. The loan and accrued interest is paid back when you die or move into long-term care and it is possible to ring-fence a percentage of the property for your family to inherit.

With a home revision plan you sell all or a share of your home to a provider in return for a cash lump sum. In this case the provider owns the property and you gain a lifetime lease which allows you to remain in the house until you die.

PROFESSIONAL HELP AND ADVICE There is a lot of free help available for those approaching retirement from GOV.UK, Pension Wise, Money Advice Service, Pension Tracing Service, Age UK, letting agents and the local council. An independent financial advisor can also help with tax planning, investments and inheritance matters, but do check they are a member of the Financial Conduct Authority. l

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Care for Couples at The Laurels

A A

significantnumber number of elderly significant of elderly people people who need to go into a care who need to go into a care home are home areliving currently living with currently with their spouse andtheir very spouse very of often thought of often theand thought beingthe separated from being separated from their partner can their partner can be heart breaking be heart breaking.

Frequently a partner is remaining in the Frequently a partner is remaining in the family home and perhaps feeling guilty family home and perhaps feeling guilty that they can no longer provide the care that they can no longer provide the their companion needs. Sometimes both care their companion needs. partners are in need of care and yet their Sometimes both partners are in need of needs and are very again leading to care yet different, their needs are very them being separated at this time. different, again leading to them being separated this time.

In order toataddress the issue of couples with different care the needs, Laurels In order to address issueThe of couples Nursing Home in Hastings aims to spewith different care needs, The Laurels cifically support couples who want to Nursing Home in Hastings aims to stay together.

The home has now introspecifically support couples who want duced luxuryThe suitehome alongside 50 to staya new together. has its now bedrooms in a homely environment. introduced a new luxury suite alongside its 50 provides bedrooms a comfort homely The suite everyin home environment. including smart TV with video stream and system every with the home added The modern suite music provides comfort including smart TV with video

stream and modern system with benefit of 24 hour music care. The spacious the added benefit of 24 hour care.

The room offers a seating area with views spacious room offers a seating area to the garden through a Juliette balcony, withen-suite views and, to the garden throughthea an most importantly, Juliette balcony, an en-suite and, most opportunity for couples to be together. importantly, the opportunity for couples to be together.

“This valued addition to our accommodation

can single to or double valuedto support addition our “Thisbe adapted occupation either for respite care or onto a accommodation can be adapted permanent basis,” or Christine Turner Matron support single double occupation from Laurels told us. eitherthefor respite care“Weorwelcome on a permanent basis,”love Sally Bossom visitors and would to show you from what Thehave Laurels told us.Laurels.”

“We welcome we to offer at The visitors and would love to show you From landscaped a soothing what we have to gardens offer at with The Laurels.” water feature to tastefully decorated From alandscaped gardens with a rooms, cinema room and the all-important soothing water feature to tastefully home cooked meals, The Laurels is certainly decorated rooms, cinema room worth visiting if youa are thinking of and the the all-important cookedormeals, next stage in life home for yourself your The Laurels is certainly worth visiting if loved ones. you are thinking of the next stage in life for yourself or your loved Why not contact them ones. for further information or to arrange them fora viewing? further Why not contact information or to arrange a viewing?

The Grand Opening of the New Sensory Garden will be this Spring

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CHARITY

IT’S ALL ABOUT CHARITY Be a dare-devil this summer and take part in one of these organised events for thrill seekers! Why not participate and feel the rush of the adrenalin whilst raising much needed funds for well deserving local charities? Take a look at some of these exciting events coming to Sussex this summer

A Midsummer Night’s iDrop The iDrop at British Airways i360 in Brighton is BACK and Rockinghorse children’s charity is looking for thrill-seekers to take on this eyewatering challenge.

The second annual Rockinghorse iDrop will take place on the longest day of the year, Friday 21st June. Participants can witness the sun setting into the sea as they are securely lowered from the open pod doors 450ft above Brighton seafront, providing a spectacular view of the city. The iDrop challenge will be operated by Wire and Sky and places are limited to 30 people only, who are able to each raise the minimum £250 in sponsorship for Rockinghorse.

Last year 29 people participated in the challenge for Rockinghorse.

They included 14-year-old fundraiser Jake Heal, 85-yearold daredevil grandmother Jeannine Brett, and IBO super-

You Raise Me Up – Fundraising Events for 2019 The local charity You Raise Me Up is totally funded by donations and fundraising events.

They have lots of adrenaline filled events you can join in to help raise funds and awareness of this small but vital charity. Fulfil your dreams, face your fears or team up with your friends to have fun and make a difference.

3rd Annual Skydive!!

46 amazing people faced their fears and fulfilled their dream while raising over

middleweight boxer Chris Eubank Jnr. Together they raised an incredible £40,000 for the charity towards the purchase of a specialist X-ray imaging machine for the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton.

This year, the iDrop event will be raising funds for Chalkhill Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Haywards Heath, which is Sussex’s only mental health inpatient unit for young people.

Supporters can now apply for a place to take part in the unique iDrop charity event. Registration is £50 with an additional minimum sponsorship of £250 per person.

Applications will close on Friday 26 April at midnight.

To request an application form, call Rockinghorse on 01273 330044 or email hannah.seltzer@rockinghorse.org.uk Further details can be found at www.rockinghorse.org.uk

£30,000 for You Raise Me Up over the past 2 years. Now it’s your turn on Saturday 22nd June! Book your place with £50 deposit and raise a minimum of £500. The fundraising team will support you with ideas, social media and promotional material. Just 20 places are available, so hurry!

Face your Fear with a Bungee Jump Taking place at the Beach Life Festival on Saturday 13th July at Princes Park in Eastbourne. A £20 refundable deposit is

applicable to secure your place. Raise £250 or more in fundraising and jump for FREE! To register your Bungee Jump visit the Beach Life Festival website; www.beachlifefestival.co.uk

Charity Go-Karting

Get a team together & Fun-raise! Set to take place on Sunday 15th September at Filching Manor for teams of 4 (16 & over).

A two hour endurance race. £40 deposit per team member. Minimum £300 funds raised per team (£200 if you self fund).

Full Details at www.youraisemeup.co.uk/event/

62 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

THE CHASELEY TRUST your specialist local charity enabling disabled people to live lives to the full NEEDS YOU! The Chaseley Trust is one of the oldest charities in Eastbourne with a seventy four year track record of supporting people with spinal injuries, Acquired Brain Injuries, loss of limbs and progressive conditions through the provision of specialist short- and long-term care at our 55 bed facility on South Cliff, Eastbourne. We offer a full suite of specialist support including nursing care, therapy, rehabilitation and respite holidays designed to enhance the development, independence and wellbeing of those who use our services.

environment for our severely-disabled patients.

Enthusiastically supported by our dedicated staff, our residents enjoy a wide range of creative activities including art classes, singing, drama, dancing, cooking and gardening on a daily basis but this wouldn’t be possible without our brilliant army of volunteers.

So if you have a few hours a week to spare, please get in touch with us by email info@chaseleytrust.org or call us on 01323 744200. We would be delighted to welcome you and show you around.

Chaseley Trust welcomes volunteers of all ages, skills and qualifications to join our friendly team of professionals to help us continue our valuable work in providing a secure, caring, creative and enriching

The Chaseley Trust - South Cliff, Eastbourne. BN20 7JH www.chaseley.org Registered Charity number 1090579

Support the little stars of Sussex

Eastbourne Saturday 15 June Open to everyone aged 10 and over

NEW FOR 2019

A sponsored 10 mile walk filled with colour, light, magic and wonder. Raising money for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

Sign up now at: www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/wonder-walk

Visit beautiful East Sussex gardens and raise money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice 13th April to 27th July 2019 Find out more at stwhospice.org or pick up a

Registered Charity No. 283686

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April19 Charity SLE.indd 63

02/04/2019 11:33

BODY BUZZ

ALL IN A ROW Row, row, row your boat… or jump to it in the gym! Sasha Kanal tells us how rowing is taking the fitness world by storm INDOOR Rowing is having it’s own moment in the sun in the fitness world currently.

Usually reserved as a warm up or a quick stop on the rowing machine in the gym circuit, it’s now taking centre stage as an exercise with more bang for its bucks compared to others.

There’s a reason Olympic rowers look the way they do.

The exercise works the whole body and is reassuringly low impact on bones and joints.

Main parts of the body utilised are the legs and core, meaning it’s just as effective as stomach crunches when it comes to tightening those areas. Technique is important however and a slow and steady approach to start with is best to make sure you’re doing it absolutely right.

Start by sitting in the rowing machine with your knees over your ankles and the difficulty level set no higher than about 4 or 5.

Keeping your back upright and being careful not to round it as you lean forward drive your legs down the slider. Then you lean back 64 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

and pull through your arms to activate the chain. This is called the ‘drive’ and as you pull back, it’s best to keep your arms straight for as long as possible. It’s important to note that the whole process doesn’t have to be done at the same speed. Once you’ve

Rowing in synchronicity is said to promote a wonderful feeling of teamwork

pulled back completely, take your time to recover and listen out for the whirr of the flywheel on the machine.

Rowing is said to burn two to three times the amount of calories as spinning, so no wonder it’s becoming as popular as its counterpart with specific group rowing classes popping up all over the UK. Check out your local gym or leisure centre to investigate the opportunities out there.

OUTDOOR If you like things more ‘au naturel’, then find a lake or river that you can actually row a boat on or better still, find a rowing club! The Amateur Rowing Association

is a good place to start, as it has a local club finder tool on there. Rowing on water is a very different kettle of fish (excuse the pun!) than on a machine of course. There’s the actual boat, the water and your counterparts to contend with. If you’re part of a club, rowing in synchronicity with your fellow rowers is said, unsurprisingly, to promote a wonderful feeling of teamwork. Then there’s the beauty of seeing the world from the river and the scenery that comes with that.

If this sounds all too energetic, then find a boating lake in Sussex on a sunny spring day, hire a little rowboat by the hour, take a small picnic and enjoy! l

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BEAUTY & FASHION

Want beach style wavy hair without using the hot tongs? Follow Sofia Akin’s guide to long lasting heat free waves and feel like a surfer girl all day long!

Heat Free

Waves H

eat can really damage your hair so although using curlers gives your hair nice, long-lasting curls, it’s wise to find other alternatives.

As I’m sure you know wearing plaits when your hair is damp leaves you with ‘beach -style waves’ the next morning.

Doing this alone isn’t guaranteed to keep you wavy all day long though, they often drop out and leave your hair flat. So here’s a quick and easy routine to prolong those California girl waves.

1. After washing your hair, towel-dry it so it’s damp. Make sure it’s not too wet or your hair won’t dry overnight. Comb it through so it’s tangle-free as this will be easier to work with.

2. Use sea-salt spray. This may be one of the most important steps as it gives your hair that ‘beachy texture’. Spray it evenly over your hair, trying to target

66 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

all areas. There’s something in sea-salt spray that almost thickens your hair and gives it a natural wave. Scrunch up your hair with your hands so the sea-salt spray is distributed evenly. It’s recommended you do this as it helps the product work its magic, allowing your hair to curl easier.

There’s something in sea-salt spray that almost thickens your hair and gives it a natural wave 3. Now use some sort of styling mousse as this also creates waves and prolongs the curls. Do the same motion as you did with the sea-salt spray by scrunching a small amount of mousse into your hair. Again, make sure not to use too much product or your hair will become too wet. Then brush your hair once again to brush the product through.

4. This next step is optional but to make sure your hair isn’t too frizzy, as it sometimes can be when you take it out from plaits, use a small amount of hair oil and just run it over the lengths and ends of your hair.

5. Finally, spritz a little hairspray at a distance over your hair. It’s important to do this when it’s damp, as then the hairspray dries into your hair and works more effectively. Put your hair into French braids so your hair will be wavy from the top to the bottom. If you want more of a natural curl, you can just do regular braids, leaving waves from midway to the end.

6. The following morning, take your hair out of the braids, once you’re sure your hair is dry and spritz it with hairspray once more.

Ta-da! That’s all you need to do to achieve heatless beach waves. This sort of hairstyle really does suit anyone. It is a really pretty, feminine style that would be perfect on a summer’s day or for a special occasion or even if you’re just relaxing at home. Get practising now and do it in style! l

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FOOD & DRINK

Pizza!

With the Easter holidays afoot it’s the perfect time to get the whole family involved in the kitchen with these fun and simple pizza recipes

Prep Time 20 minutes Cooking Time 12-15 minutes Makes 6 x 23cm pizzas (or 4 larger ones)

68 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

INGREDIENTS FOR THE PIZZA BASE 350g plain flour plus extra for dusting 150g fine semolina flour 1 ½ tsp salt 20g fresh yeast or 7g sachet of fast action dried yeast 1 tsp runny honey (to be used with fresh yeast only) 250ml hand hot water 3 tbsp olive oil

leaves when cooked.

3. Tomato sauce, drained mozzarella, basil leaves when cooked.

4. Tomato sauce, roasted pepper, sliced chorizo, pinenuts, paprika, oregano leaves when cooked.

METHOD Put the oil in a large saucepan with the garlic and stir well over a high heat. As soon as the garlic sizzles (it mustn’t brown), add the tomatoes along with the tomato paste and oregano. Let the mixture bubble on medium high for about 12 minutes until thick and rich, stiring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool before use.

1

FOR THE BASIC TOMATO SAUCE 700g ripe red tomatoes peeled, deseeded and chopped 5 tbsp olive oil 3 garlic cloves chopped then creamed with salt 1 tbsp tomato paste Pinch dried oregano Plenty of freshly ground black pepper

Tip onto a lightly floured surface 3 and knead for about 7 minutes until it forms a smooth ball. Put a dribble

of oil into the same bowl and add the dough, cover with a cloth and let it rise at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.

It should be soft to touch and roughly doubled in size. Punch down the dough and tip out, knead into a ball and cut into 4, 6 or 8 pieces with a sharp knife.

Form each piece into a ball and put on a floured paper lined tray, cover and leave at room temperature for 15 minutes until swollen. You could put it in the fridge at this point and leave for up to 3 hours or until ready to roll.

If using fresh yeast, crumble it Roll each dough ball as thinly as 2 into the hand hot water. Add the 4 possible and then add the topping honey and stir well until the yeast has of your choice. The simplest and most dissolved. Leave for about 10 minutes until foam appears on the surface which means the yeast is active and ready to use. Put the flours and salt in a bowl (along with the dried yeast if using) and make a well in the centre for the liquid. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to the flour and add the liquid. Mix together well until the dough leaves the side of the bowl clean. Cover and leave for 5 minutes. Put 2-3 large baking

New Spring Menu Local Produce Book today!

classic pizza is tomato sauce with a dribble of olive oil and pepper. Slide the pizzas onto the preheated baking trays.

Bake for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle on extra oil and serve hot.

Tip: If you do not wish to use all the pizza dough, it can be easily frozen between sheets of baking parchment.

The tomato sauce can also be frozen if you have excess.

RECIPE & PHOTOGRAPHY: NARRATIVES

TOPPING SUGGESTIONS Arrange all the toppings on separate plates.

1. Pesto, sliced courgette, parma ham, soft goat cheese, rocket leaves when cooked.

2. Olive tapenade, halved artichoke hearts, anchovies, capers, slice of rind-on goat cheese, parsley

sheets in the oven pre heated to 230C, Gas 8, 190 Fan.

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foodiesfestival.com April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 69

THE SIX BELLS - CHIDDINGLY

APRIL Tues 2nd - Folk n Blues

Fri 5th - Iron Tyger Sat 6th - Paul And Paul Sun 7th - Assorted Nuts

... ... ...

BEXHILL Every Fri of month, 8.30am-2pm Devonshire Square PEVENSEY BAY Every Fri, 10.15am-11.30am St Wilfrid's Hall, Eastbourne Road CROWBOROUGH 4th Sat of month, 9am-1pm Crowborough Social Club, Croft Road CROWHURST 1st Sat of month, 10am-12 noon Crowhurst Village Hall EASTBOURNE Last Sat of month, 10am-12.30pm Community Wise, Ocklynge Rd EAST DEAN Every Wed, 10am-12.30pm East Dean Village Hall FOREST ROW 1st Sat of month, 10am-3pm Forest Row Community Ctr Car Park

HAILSHAM 2nd Sat of month, 9am-12.30pm Hailsham Cattle Market HASTINGS 2nd & 4th Thur of month, 9am-2pm, Robertson Street HEATHFIELD 3rd Sat of month, 9am-12.30pm Heathfield Co-op Car Park LEWES 1st Sat & 3rd Sat of month 9am-1pm, Cliffe Pedestrian Precinct PENSHURST 1st Sat of month, 9.30am-12 noon Penshurst Place (Visitor Car Park) STONEGATE 2nd Sat of month, 9.30am-12 noon King John’s Nursery, Sheep Street Lane, Etchingham UCKFIELD 1st Sat of month, 9am-1pm Luxford Car Park

Fri 12th - The Byte Sat 13th - Rooster Tail Sun 14th - Savannah lunchtime jazz

... ... ...

Sun 21st - Savannah lunchtime jazz

... ... ...

Tues 23rd - Mad Billys Engine Room-open mike/jam night

... ... ...

Fri 26th - Far Cry Sat 27th - Skarlettos Sun 28th - Assorted Nuts

... ... ...

Tues 16th - Folk n Blues

Tues 30th - Folk n Blues

Fri 19th - Vexed Sat 20th - Snakebite

Tel: 01825 872227 www.6bellsfolk.co.uk

... ... ...

Let’s eat!

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Enjoy a Warm Welcome, Delicious Food and Great Hospitality Ridley Inns are the Family Friendly & Family Run Local Pub Group

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HEATHFIELD TAVERN Station Road, Heathfield East Sussex, TN21 8DR For reservations Tel: 01435 864847 TheHeathfieldTavern

Uckfield Road (A26), Near Ringmer East Sussex BN8 5RX For reservations Tel: 01273 812040 www.cockpub.co.uk

Eastbourne Road, Ridgewood Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5SP For reservations Tel: 01825 762989 www.highlandsinn.co.uk

BOOK NOW FOR YOUR EASTER GATHERINGS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

70 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2018

ARLINGTON

Food served lunch and evening - Home Cooked Food - Freehouse - New Menu including - Real Ales Lunchtime Light Bites 01323 870590 www.yewtree-inn.co.uk

Perfect place to visit before or after your bluebell or country walk

Fri 12 April - Jiggory Pokery Sat 20 April - Mel Hayes Sat 27 April - Two Hep Cats Sat 4 May - Blues ’n’ Twos

01323 762112

smugglerspevensey.co.uk | High Street, Pevensey, BN24 5LF

BISHOPS BUTCHERS TRADITIONAL FRIENDLY FAMILY BUTCHER

Order your Easter Meats from us

MUSIC EVENTS

The Geary sisters Petra and Nuala welcome you to the Smugglers in Pevensey.

Tasty homemade food and a great specials board for foodies.

Good drinks selection. Dog and child friendly with a lovely garden and play area.

CROSS IN HAND HEATHFIELD

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Cross in Hand, Heathfield TN21 0SN 01435 865 449

01825 762820

Open: Mon - Thur 12-11pm, Fri-Sat 12-12pm, Sun 12-10.30pm

Stonehill Dining Room within Holy Cross Priory

Free Parking | Peaceful Gardens | Historic Setting Open 10am-4pm | Morning Coffee | Lunch | Afternoon Tea Book a table on 01435 865691 www.holycrosspriory.co.uk

Holy Cross Priory, Lewes Road, Cross in Hand, Heathfield, TN21 0DZ

April 2018 | SUSSEX LIVING 71

DIARY

DATES Tuesday 02 April, 18:30 – 20:30

Baldwins Travel: Solo Traveller Event

The Depot, Pinwell Road, Lewes BN7 2JS A wide range of travel ideas geared towards people who need to travel independently.

Places are limited. Contact 01273 472466 to confirm your space.

Wednesday 03 April, 11:00 – 15:00

Bonhams: Valuation Days – Fine Art & Jewellery Charleston House, West Firle, Lewes BN8 6LL www.Bonhams.com/hove – 01273 220000.

Saturday 06 April, 10:00 – 12:00

Dr Bike Seaford

Council Offices / Police Station Car Park, Church Street, Seaford If you’re not using your bike because of dodgy brakes, badly adjusted gears or soft tyres, then bring it for a check-up! We have the skills, tools & enthusiasm to carry out a full safety check, basic repairs & maintenance.

Free – but donations welcome. www.cycleseaven.org.uk Saturday 06 April, 13:00 – 17:00

The Wartling & Herstmonceux

Do you have an East Sussex community event to promote?

Email hello@sussexliving.com and ask for a Diary Dates form.

Local History Group Exhibition Herstmonceux Village Hall A special feature on World War Two with some WWII army vehicles on display.

Entry £5 (U16 free).

Saturday 06 April

Tablehurst Community Farm – Lambing Days Tablehurst Farm, London Road, Forest Row RH18 5DP (do not follow SatNav) Pull up your wellies and get out to your community farm, where the sheep barn is full of baby lambs for you to visit. www.tablehurst.farm 01342 823173.

Saturday 06 April & Sunday 07 April, 10:00 – 17:00

The Sussex Guild: Contemporary Craft Show Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham RH12 1RL Designer makers of contemporary and traditional crafts. www.thesussexguild.co.uk

trail and craft workshops. www.hevercastle.co.uk 01732 865224.

Sunday 07 April, 12:00 – 22:30

Hastings Beatles Day

White Rock Theatre, Hastings The 20th anniversary of Beatles Day www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk/Online/ tickets-beatles-day-hastings-2019 www.hastingsbeatlesday.org.uk www.facebook.com/ hastingsbeatlesday/ Saturday 07 April

Wedding Venue Showcase

Easter Family Fun

Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge TN8 7NG Family entertainment throughout the Easter holidays including an Easter

Monday 08 April onwards

Have a cracking Easter at Drusillas Park!

Appearances from all of your favourite characters throughout the Easter holidays, including Hey Duggee, Peter Rabbit, the PJ Masks and more! www.drusillas.co.uk for exact dates.

Wellshurst Golf & Country Club, North Street, Hellingly BN27 4ED Our beautiful wedding venue with spectacular views across the South Downs will be fully dressed for a wedding. Free of charge. www.facebook.com/Wellshurst 01435 813636 phyllis@wellshurst.com

Tuesday 09 April, 10:00 – 14:00

Sunday 07 April 14:00 – 17:00

Horsted Place Country House Hotel, Lewes Road, Uckfield TN22 5TS Creative ideas for floral decorations at Eastertime. A demonstration by Clare Wilson of Riverside Flowers, Lewes.

Booking essential: 01825 750581.

Oldland Mill Open Day

Saturday 06 April to Monday 22 April

our own flour available. No vehicles allowed at the Mill. Please park in Grand Avenue or Ockley Lane near the Thatched Inn and walk up Oldlands Lane. oldlandwindmill.co.uk

Keymer See inside the oldest regularly working windmill in Sussex.

Refreshments, memorabilia and

Bonhams: Valuation Days – Fine Art & Jewellery The Cooden Beach Hotel, Cooden Sea Road, Bexhill-On-Sea TN39 4TT www.Bonhams.com/hove 01273 220000.

Tuesday 09 April, 10:30

Easter Flowers

Charity Number 306016

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Thursday 11 April 14:00 – 16:00

Arts Society Ashdown Forest: Rembrandt - Family, Faces and Friends.

Crowborough Community Centre, Pine Grove TN6 1FE Hilary Williams of the British Museum introduces the medics, lawyers, bourgeoisie, burghers, clerics and family members who were Rembrandt’s subjects. Members free, Guests £6 AFDFASnews@gmail.com 01892 663388.

Friday 12 April, 19:00 – 22:00

Film: The Happy Prince

Friday 12 April, 18:00 – 21:00 and Saturday 13 April, 10:00 – 16:30

Art Exhibition by Buxted Art Club

The Reading Room, Church Road TN22 4LL Buxted Art Club’s annual exhibition of members’ work during the year.

Paintings in a variety of styles and mediums. Entry: ÂŁ1 to include refreshments sheilabartholomew1@gmail.com 01825 733100.

Saturday 13 April, 10:00 – 16:00

Open Day at Piddinghoe Pond with the Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club

Crowborough Community Centre, Pine Grove TN6 1FE Drinks available before the performance - ÂŁ8 with reductions if you become a member. enquiries@pinegrovepictures.org.uk www.pinegrovepictures.org.uk

Piddinghoe Pond BN9 9AF Visit the ‘Jewel of Sussex’ and join the Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club on their tranquil lake. www.nssc.org.uk

Friday 12 April, 19:30 – 21:30

Chailey Village Hall (next to the Five Bells Pub) Volunteer experts repair things free of charge – although a donation towards running costs is invited.

Anyone can bring along broken items or clothing needing repair from home, and have a cuppa and some cake while they wait (2nd Saturday of every month). chaileyrc@gmail.com

East Hoathly & District Preservation Society: The wonders of water – how otters keep us healthy East Hoathly Village Hall, Church Marks Lane BN8 6EQ Learn how wildlife and water are inextricably linked to our lives and how otters tell us how healthy we are,

by Fran Southgate.

Non-members: ÂŁ4 toni.wilkinson@btconnect.com 01825 872460.

Saturday 13 April, 10:00 – 13:00

Chailey Repair CafĂŠ

Saturday 13 April & Sunday 14 April

Eastbourne Artists Spring Open Houses and Studios

kly e e r w g and u o in Join or sail g club i n jun dsurfi win

Venues across Eastbourne Eastbourne artists and makers show and sell their artwork in homes, studios and galleries. www.eastbourneartists.co.uk 01323 749708 07768 387980.

Sunday 14 April, 16:00 – 17:00

Family Concert: Hey Diddle Fiddle

St Leonards Church, Church Street, Seaford BN25 1LR A family concert for children of all

Michelham Priory House & Gardens

Discover & Explore great days out - All ages - All weathers

Daffodil Festival Sat 23rd Mar to Sun 14th Apr 80,000 Daffodils bursting into colour. Trails, Displays & colourful activities!

Easter Weekend 19th to 22nd April

Easter Egg Hunt, Bunny Hunt in the house, crafts, story time & more.

Murder Mystery 27th April

Murder Mystery evening & dinner. Booking Required

60th Anniversary Party 5th - 6th May

Tasters from ÂŁ20 Courses from ÂŁ92

T: 01323 417023 E: info buzzactive.org.uk @

Traditional music, fun & games to celebrate Sussex Past looking after Michelham Priory.

Visit our website for more details on these events & others.

Upper Dicker, Nr Hailsham East Sussex, BN27 3QS.

www.sussexpast.co.uk April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 73

DIARY DATES ages. Music, stories, dance.

Children: bring a cushion!

Tickets: £8, Students £5, Children free www.seafordmusicsociety.com Monday 15 April, 19:30 – 21:30

Pestalozzi Village Talk with Jenny Price

St Saviours Hall, South Street, Eastbourne BN21 4PA Association of Sussex Folk Evening Meeting. Visitors £2 Denise Morgan-Smith 01323 763163.

Monday 15 April, 10.00 to 12.00 noon

Vitality Villages Coffee Morning

Great Space, Herstmonceux Health Centre, Hailsham Road BN27 4JX Talk on trugs together with coffee/tea and biscuits and fun quiz.

01323 833673 sheiilacharlton@uwclub.net Thursday 18 April, 19:30 – 21:30

Sussex Wildlife Trust Eastbourne Regional Group Event

Victoria Baptist Church, Eldon Road, Eastbourne BN21 1UE An illustrated talk ‘Extinct Birds’ by our SWT Officer Michael Blencowe. £3.00 for SWT members, £4.00 for visitors - all welcome. secretary-swteastbourne@hotmail. co.uk www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/ whats-on Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 April, 10:00 – 17:00

The Garden Show in Spring

Firle Place, Firle BN8 6LP Art, design, your garden and you.

See page 49 for voucher reducing entrance fee! www.thegardenshowonline.com Friday 19 April to Monday 22 April,

Easter Weekend at Michelham Priory

Upper Dicker, Nr Hailsham BN27 3QS Easter egg hunt, bunny hunt in the house, crafts,story time and more. www.sussexpast.co.uk Saturday 20 April, 10:00 – 12:00

Dr Bike Peacehaven

Big Park, Peacehaven If you’re not using your bike because of dodgy brakes, badly adjusted gears or soft tyres, then bring it for a check-up! We have the skills, tools & enthusiasm to carry out a full safety check, basic repairs & maintenance.

Free – but donations welcome. www.cycleseaven.org.uk Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April

Eastbourne Artists Spring Open Houses and Studios Venues across Eastbourne Eastbourne artists and makers show and sell their artwork in homes, studios and galleries. www.eastbourneartists.co.uk 01323 749708 07768 387980.

Sunday 21 & Monday 22 April, 11:00 – 16:30

Easter Family Days

Pickhams, Wilmington, Polegate BN26 6RR Book your tickets online for the Egg Hunt, workshop and activities via our website.

Free entrance to garden only (donations invited) www.pickhams.com 01323 705153.

Wednesday 24 April to Tuesday 30 April

Tulip Celebrations

Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge TN8 7NG Follow the trail throughout the grounds. Special varieties to look out for and new areas planted. www.hevercastle.co.uk 01732 865224.

Saturday 27 April, 10:00 – 17:00

St. Andrew’s Model Show

St. Andrew’s Parish Hall, Seaside, Eastbourne BN22 7RY Model show with model railways, model boats and yachts, slot cars, dioramas, working Lego layouts and Lego play table, refreshments. Adults £2.00, Children £1.00, Family (2+2) £5. officer@standrewseastbourne.org.uk www.facebook.com/ StAndrewsNorway Saturday 27 April

Murder Mystery Evening & Dinner at Michelham Priory Upper Dicker, Nr Hailsham BN27 3QS Booking essential www.sussexpast.co.uk Sunday 28 April, 10:00 – 16:00

Antique Fair in memory of George Paterson

The Skinners School, St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9PG All proceeds to Hospice in the Weald.

45+ stalls, refreshments, & music £1 entry patersonsilver@gmail.com 0786 659 8641.

Sunday 28 April, 10:00-15:00

Cruise Inspirations Show

Bewl Water, Lamberhurst TN3 8JH Register online for Fast Track Entry and to be entered into our Prize Draw to Win a Royal Caribbean cruise for 2. www.cruiseinspirationsshow.co.uk

May Friday 03 May to Monday 06 May

Beltane Fire Festival

The weekend is open to people of all ages, with a wide range of talks, workshops and activities to include Yoga, Bushcraft skills, kids workshops and games, song and dance, falconry and much more.

Make your May Bank Holiday a wildly enchanting weekend to remember! www.in2wild.com Saturday 04 May, 10:00 – 12:00

Dr Bike Seaford

Council Offices / Police Station Car Park, Church Street, Seaford If you’re not using your bike because of dodgy brakes, badly adjusted

for everyone LEGENDS LIVE Sun 7 Apr

UB40 FT ALI & ASTRO Mon 8 Apr

THE ORIGINAL HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Sun 5 May

MICHAEL BALL Wed 8 May

SHAWN KLUSH ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST Sat 25 May

THE GUILTY FEMINIST LIVE Sun 26 May

OLLY MURS Mon 27 May

THE VAMPS Fri 31 May

SEAN PAUL Tue 4 Jun

box office 0844 847 1515* www.brightoncentre.co.uk

With over 100 interactive exhibits set among the domes of a former world famous observatory, we have something to offer for all ages.

Please visit our NEW website for full details of our Easter school holiday activities and upcoming events.

01323 832731 www.the-observatory.org

*calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

74 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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gears or soft tyres, then bring it for a check-up! We have the skills, tools & enthusiasm to carry out a full safety check, basic repairs & maintenance.

Free – but donations welcome. www.cycleseaven.org.uk

charities. Saturday evening concert, and Sunday evening Songs of Praise.

Refreshments, plants, raffle, clay sculpting, woodland walks. Donations welcome. ekeen@btinternet.com

Saturday 04 May to Monday 06 May

Sunday 05 May to Monday 06 May

May Day Festival

Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge TN8 7NG Traditional celebrations to welcome in the spring, including Maypole Dancing on the Castle forecourt. www.hevercastle.co.uk 01732 865224.

Saturday 04 May to Monday 06 May (Sat: 14:00 – 17:00; Sun: 10:00 – 17:00; Mon: 10:00 – 16:00)

60th Anniversary Party at Michelham Priory

Upper Dicker, Nr Hailsham BN27 3QS Traditional music, fun and games to celebrate Sussex Past looking after Michelham Priory. www.sussexpast.co.uk Wednesday 08 to Saturday 11 May

The Gondoliers by Eastbourne Gilbert & Sullivan Society

East Dean & Friston Art Group Exhibition

Saturday 04 May to Monday 06 May (Sat & Sun: 11:00 – 21:00; Mon: 11:00 - 18:00)

Foodies Festival with Top Chefs

Hove Lawns, Kingsway Road, Brighton BN3 2WN The UK’s largest celebration of food and drink! For ticket prices see: www.foodiesfestival.com Saturday 04 May to Monday 06 May (Sat: 10:30 – 16:30; Sun: 11:00 – 16:30; Mon: 10:30 – 16:30)

Flower Festival: For the Beauty of the Earth

Saturday 11 May, 10:00 – 11:45

Plant Sale

St. Barnabas, Worth Road, Pound Hill RH10 7DY Wide variety of annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, pots, etc.

Charity event in aid of St. Barnabas Fabric Fund. Free entry. All welcome. www.worthparish.org 0300 111 8150.

Saturday 11 May

Hurstpierpoint College Open Morning

St Mary the Virgin Church & Ninfield Methodist Church, Ninfield TN33 9JE In aid of the churches and other local

Hurstpierpoint www.Hppc.co.uk

COMING SOON

Milkshake! Live Milkshake Monkey’s Musical Wed 10 April 12noon & 3.30pm

Let’s Hang On

Miniature Steam Traction Engine Rally Riley’s Miniature Railway • Easter Bunny Hunt '( & )# , '( %& ! # $! , $# , # %& !

Steam Engine Cockerill 040VBT (Lady Lisa) operating # ()& ( " & ( $# # # !!, Isfield Station, Isfield, Near Uckfield, ! ,-' # ()& !* , . '( & )##, )#( East Sussex TN22 5XB

( " # # $ & !! , ' $% & ( # 01825 750515 or 07518 764445 www.lavender-line.co.uk www.lavender-line.co.uk '/ ! ( ( $# '/ ! & / ! '( )'' +

01825 750515 or 07518 764445

Life Coaching

The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne A feel-good comic operetta telling the tale of two just-married Venetian gondoliers www.EastbourneGandS.com

East Dean Village Hall Exhibition and sale of work.

Easter Sunday 21st April & Bank Holiday Monday 22nd April

with Jane Baldwin

F O R A C O M P L I M E N TA R Y D I S C O V E R Y C A L L V I S I T W W W. J A N E B A L D W I N . C O . U K

Heaven Farm

Nature Trail

judged one of England’s most beautiful farms

Dazzling Wood Anemones and Primroses Now in Bloom Spectacular Bluebells - April to May Come and stroll through our beautiful ancient woodland and magnificent parkland surrounding this ancient farm and enjoy the spectacular scenery. See our large family of wallabies and their joeys.

Stable Tea Room

Thu 11 April 7.30pm

Awareness âœŚ Choice âœŚ Empowerment

Granny's Ice Cream Parlour at The Granary

The Mousetrap

Mon 22 - Sat 27 April times vary

for morning coffee, lunches and afternoon cream teas (10am-5pm) New for 2019 High tea served with or without prosecco

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Fire, Passion and Fury

A275 between Danehill and the Bluebell Railway 01825 790226 / 790888 - www.heavenfarm.co.uk

Selling award winning hand crafted ice cream by the Sussex Ice Cream Company.

Also, Cards, Gifts, Flowers & Plants.

OPEN EVERY DA FREE ENTRY INTO Y FARM NATURE TRAI Adult ÂŁ5, Child ÂŁ2 L .50 OAP ÂŁ4, Family ÂŁ1 2

Sun 28 April 3pm

Tue 7 & Wed 8 May times vary

Vincent Simone & Ian Waite: The Ballroom Boys

Wealden do the best

2019/20

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

tions attrac x in Susse

Thu 9 May 7.30pm

r yside o un t ing C Coastline unn ... St ctacular Spe

London

Wealden One hour from

BOX OFFICE: 01293 553636 HAWTH.CO.UK

Wealden do the best attractions ÂŹ ÂŹ ÂŹ ÂŹ ÂŹ

Area of Outstanding Beauty Stunning Countryside Spectacular Coastline Over 80 Attractions Hundreds of events

o-sussex.co.uk

www.wealdend

London by train

www.wealdendo-sussex.co.uk April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 75

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MONEY MATTERS

A SHAGGY DOG STORY! Do you have a dog? Would you pay a Dog Tax? Well thankfully we don’t have to in the UK, but as Robin Stevenson tells us, that isn’t the case in all countries

S

ometimes I wonder what to write in this article. I try to keep things current and relevant and maybe talk through questions I get asked on common situations which I think would be good to share, but every now and again something comes across my desk which I immediately earmark to include in next month’s magazine – and that’s what happened a week or so ago when a news story appeared in the accountancy press.

The news article covered the story of a family in Germany who had fallen behind with their taxes. Like any organisation owed money, HMRC are quite robust in collecting overdue tax, as part of my work I have dealt with HMRC’s debt management team on a number of occasions, but it seems they go a little further in Germany.

When the local bailiff visited the family to seize assets they

decided the family’s most valuable asset was their pet dog, a pedigree pug called “Edda”. Edda was promptly seized and then later sold online to settle the tax bill.

Of course, the seizing of a family pet sounds horrendous and is the reason why a story about German taxes made the UK press. Could the same happen in the UK? Fortunately not, it is reassuring that HMRC are quite clear on what assets cannot be taken and these include assistance dogs (including guide dogs, hearing dogs and dogs for disabled persons), sheepdogs, guard dogs and domestic pets, which are specifically exempt and may not be seized.

But a little further reading of the news story piqued my interest when it was explained that some of the overdue tax was “Hundesteuer” (Dog Tax).

Having to pay tax because you own a pet is maybe something we hope the Government don’t introduce, but actually this is nothing new. 30 years ago we had dog licencing in the UK and if it is true that the people of Berlin alone paid “Dog Tax” of 11 million euros then if we extrapolate that to the population of the UK then perhaps we’re looking at a tax that could be worth almost £200 million pound for the Treasury!

Would the government consider reintroducing a form of Dog Tax? No, I don’t think so. I’ve mentioned the history of tax in the past and how it is true that tax is primarily used to raise funds for the Treasury, but it is also often used to influence our lifestyle and spending habits, such as sugar tax on fizzy drinks and the levy on plastic carrier bags. Maybe if we had a specific problem with dogs in the UK then Dog Tax might be used to try and control dog ownership but I can’t see any reason for that.

And I doubt it would generate enough money to be introduced for purely tax reasons, especially if we think about the costs of running such a licencing system and the policing of it, so I think it would be a brave Chancellor to announce Dog Tax as part of his budget speech.

Needless to say, where there is a tax there will be people thinking of ways to avoid paying, and it seems German Dog Tax is no different. The news report goes on to explain how one gentleman tried to avoid paying the tax by passing his Spanish Water Dog off as a sheep. It doesn’t say if he was successful, probably not!

Money Matters is written by Robin Stevenson CTA ATT TEP, Head of Taxation & Private Clients, Swindells LLP Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers Tel: 01825 763366 As individual circumstances vary considerably from person to person, the views expressed in this article are meant only as a general guide, and any specific advice required should be sought from your own professional adviser or by contacting the writer at his place of work. No responsibility for loss resulting to any person acting as a result of any material in the above article can be accepted by the writer or Swindells LLP.

76 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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UCKFIELD GARAGE 143 HIGH STREET UCKFIELD . TN22 1ES

w w w. u ck f i e l d g a ra g e . c o . u k

• Full range of automation • Specialists in sliding gates • All work is completed in house from start to finish.

Spalding Enterprises Ltd Hailsham BN27 3JL T: 01323 847744 M: 0776 196 1545 www.woodbees.co.uk

Eastbourne Audi Free of charge Vehicle collection & return service* (allow 2-3 weeks booking time)

mggarage.co.uk

Free of charge Local lift to your home, place of work or town centre

Classic Car

Services in East Sussex Everything your classic car needs from servicing and general repairs to conversions, upgrades and restoration.

Call Graham Stevens

01825 762040 Unit 2, 70 Bell Lane, Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1QL

While you wait options, Premium Lounge to work or wait, breakfast at Toby Carvery, Day Pass at Bannatynes Health Club or the David Lloyd Club – please confirm at time of booking.

7am-8am Early drop off appointments available Monday – Friday Replacement Vehicle (allow 2-3 weeks booking time) Free fitting of wiper blades and most bulbs Fixed Prices for vehicles over 3 years old subject to engine size & mileage Tyre Price Match where possible MOTs

Quote ‘Sussex Living’ for all enquiries

EASTBOURNE AUDI 2 Edward Road, Willingdon Drove, Eastbourne BN23 8AS 01323 306702 caffyns.co.uk/audi *Over 3 years old and under 2000 cc.

To find out more please call 01825 768077 or email: hello@sussexliving.com April19 SLE Classified.indd 77

OPENING HOURS Mon - Fri 7am to 6pm Sat 8.30am- 1pm Sun 10am- 4pm (Car Sales) Closed (Aftersales)

25403

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 77

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GRATE FIRES

We clean your oven... so you don’t have to.

OF SUSSE X

Call today to have your oven, hob, extractor or Aga professionally cleaned

Installation & Servicing of gas and electric fires

Paul Gilbert Tel 01323 406386 Mob tel 07935 820251 www.ovenwizards.com

01444 452626

info@gratefires.co.uk www.gratefires.co.uk

Problems with Water Supply or Disposal?

Superior Glass Ltd Uckfield’s longest established glass & window company

01825 764766 • Fascia, Soffits & Cladding • Glass cut to size.

• uPVC & Aluminium Windows, • Bi-Fold, Composite and Doors & Conservatories Garage Doors • Laminated & Toughened Glass

We have the technology and experience to solve it.

“Mechanical Mole” Pipe Laying, Septic Tanks and Sewage Treatment.

Stockists of Pumps, Pipes, Fittings and Drain Jetting.

Workshop facilities also available for service and repair of all types of plant and machinery.

24 Hour Emergency Glass Repairs

COVERING KENT AND SUSSEX

Design House, Unit 1 Bell Lane, Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield TN22 1QL

FENSA

BEENEY & CO LTD Oakville Farm, Easons Green, Uckfield Tel: Halland (01825) 840276 W AT E R

A N D

D R A I N A G E

E N G I N E E R S

Lady Decorator With over 25 years’ professional experience

• • • •

Interior painting Paper hanging Decorative paint effects Furniture painting

Quality work and reliable service For free advice and estimate call Sue 07969 870889 Designdecoration@rocketmail.com

Heathfield Hire

01435 864 144 (Heathfield) 01580 753 183 (Hawkhurst)

SMALL PLANT & TOOL HIRE SALES & REPAIRS

Plant Hire

Tool Hire

Garden Machinery

From diggers to dumper trucks

From screwdrivers to wireless drills

From lawn mowers to shovels

DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE Unit 1, Browning Rd. Station Road Industrial Estate, HEATHFIELD Highgate Hill, HAWKHURST - www.heathfieldhire.co.uk

V COTTINGHAM GARDEN MAINTENANCE

We provide a complete service to care for all of your garden needs * * * * * *

Regular maintenance One off visits Hedge cutting * Pruning Mowing * Lawn Care Garden Clearance Experienced & reliable GARDEN SOLUTIONS PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Contact Vince on 07702

723493

E-mail: vince@vcottingham.co.uk www.vincecottingham.co.uk

78 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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eart of your Ho orts the H me Supp Est 1975

We are a small, independent business with highly trained engineers specialising in:

01424 775802 0345 4506991

with this advert for all customers

Installation, Repair & Realignment of all types of Aerials and Sky Dishes

Supply and installation of:

• Aga/Rayburn/Wamsler/Firebird • Pre-owned Aga/Rayburn Cookers • Boiler Wood Stoves • Oil / Gas Boiler Replacements • Underfloor Heating • Complete Heating & Plumbing Installation * Areas covered TN/BN/RH Your local general plumbing and heating specialists

20% Local TV Aerials DISCOUNT & Satellites Fault Finding • Phone Points • Freeview HD • Freesat • HD TV Wall Mounting • 30 Years Experience • Fully Insured

Freephone: 0800 8021791 Brighton: 01273 917736 from

Friendly and professional service sales@plumbwellheating.co.uk

Email: enquiries@localtvaerialsandsatellites.co.uk www.localtvaerialsandsatellites.co.uk

www.plumbwellheating.co.uk

R E G I O N A L I N D E P E N D E N T R A N G E C O O K E R & H E AT I N G C E N T R E

Sussex Ponds & Gardens

Create Your Dream Home with

DEVELOPMENTS

Home Renovation and Property Developers...

For all ponds, terraces and associated landscaping

New Builds • Conversions • Extensions • Complete Home Renovations Kitchens and Bathrooms • Interior Styling

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Portfolio available Personal and efficient service

Telephone: Stephan Hurst 01825 872180 www.sussexpondsandgardens.co.uk

Free Quotations • Fully Insured • Design Service Available

Tel: 07472 432523

Email: qcollins@larkspurdevelopments.co.uk

A natural growth accelerator for plants and vegetables

CONTRACTORS WATER PIPE RENEWAL

Puckamuck is a completely natural and organically sourced well-rotted horse manure.

• • •

PUCKAMUCK

No-mess pipelaying by mole or steerable drill, we can bore up to 100m at a time under your garden or driveway, without digging the surface.

Chain trenching for field water supplies. Troughs installed. Leaks fixed.

DRAINAGE / TREATMENT Shred on site so easy to handle and spread.

Fully aged by us so ready to use straight away.

100% manure - no green waste, peat-free and no odour!

www.puckamuck.co.uk or call 07899676166 Puckamuck is a Registered Trademark.

Trouble with a soakaway or cesspool? Install a Mantair Conversion Unit into your existing tank and discharge clean water, for half the cost and none of the upheaval of other systems. Land drains, etc. Free advice.

T: 01825 872611 . www.nickcoleman.net . M: 07778 664466 MILL FARM . GOLDEN CROSS . HAILSHAM . EAST SUSSEX . BN27 3ST

Blackboys Service Station is a family-run business established for 40 years with over 25 years Renault experience.

all makes & models ...

• TYRES • MOTS CLASS 1, 2, 4 & 7 • EXHAUSTS • AIR CONDITIONING • SERVICING • WELDING • REPAIRS 01825 890317 • DIAGNOSTICS • COURTESY CARS

WE NOW DO CLASS 7 MOTS

www.bss-renault.co.uk ru@bss-renault.co.uk

NEW ADDRESS: Lancelot Unit, Squires Farm Industrial Estate, Palehouse Common,Nr Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5RB

Tel: 07779 288896 All Property Repairs, Fencing, Gates, Hedges & Lawns, Roof Repairs 5* Rated on Rated People. Fully Insured. Reliable Domestic, Landlords, Commercial - Free No Obligation Quotes Given

To find out more please call 01825 768077 or email: hello@sussexliving.com April19 SLE Classified.indd 79

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 79

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DECORATING

Kwik-Lawn Turf SUPPLIERS OF TURF AND TOP-SOIL

Interior / Exterior Painting • Paper Hanging

Various Grades of Turf • Laying Service Available Ground Clearance Undertaken • Bulk or Loose Soil Available • Turf Soil / Compost

FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE WITHOUT OBLIGATION

• Free quotations • Fast, efficient service with Prompt Delivery Competitive Rates • Visa & Mastercard Taken

The Street, Framfield, East Sussex TN22 5NN

01825 891122

Heathfield 01435 868833 / 07831 452084

info@dftourle.co.uk

D.F. TOURLE LTD

Est 1970

FOGGY2CLEAR Double Glazing Repair Specialist

Sandy Fields Farm, Sandy Cross Lane, Heathfield, TN21 8QH

Where quality is assured

Is your double glazing foggy? No need to replace the whole frame: we can save you money by replacing just the glass!

Year-round fittings, repairs and maintenance • Misted windows (including Velux) • Window hinges, handles, mechanisms and trims • Replacement seals (gaskets) • Door hinges and locks • Door furniture (handles, spy holes, knockers, letterboxes etc) *insured • Cat flaps For a free, no-obligation quotation, call Chris: 01825 731825 or 07940 470371

co al We ns so n er in ow va sta to ll ri es

Competitive prices, friendly installers. Local work can be viewed or check us out online at checkatrade.com.

Over 18 years’ experience.

Call us for a free no obligation quote on 01825 764912 or 07930 533588 www.campaving.co.uk

BUILDING CONTRACTORS With over 40 years of building experience

• Conversions • Extensions • New Builds • Refurbishments • Improvements Telephone: 01323 841532

Website: www.jhpayne.co.uk Email: enquiries@jhpayne.co.uk Bolneys Units, South Road, Hailsham BN27 3NU

WANT TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS?

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hard and soft landscaping - garden design - turfing - fencing / decking tree / hedge work - patios / driveways - general garden works

Contact 01825 768077 I hello@sussexliving.com

Please call now for a FREE quotation 01323 811834 / 07752 553939 jonny@limelandscapes.co.uk

80 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

OLD HAND TOOLS OF RURAL CRAFTS

SOUTHERN POOLS

Bought & Sold

(01435) 865453 Visit the Pool Shop

Also architectural ironmongery, including brass, locks, hinges, knobs, and handles

Peter Hanman (Tools)

Excavations Ponds / Impact Moleing

Tinkers Lane Hadlow Down

for Discount Chemicals and Accessories

Heathfield Market, Heathfield Workshop 01435 860760 • Mobile: 07966 176015 hanmanpete@gmail.com

Station Rd. Industrial Estate Heathfield, Sussex

www.hanman-tools.co.uk

Open 9am - 5pm Mon - Fri Closed 1-2pm for lunch • Open Sat 9am - 1pm

Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (closed 1-2pm lunch) • Sat 10am-1pm • Closed Wed

❖ 53rd Anniversary 1965 - 2018 ❖

SPECIALISTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HEAT RETAINING LINER POOLS

Foundations Landscaping Drainage Clearance

MICHAEL STILLER 01825 830438 07717 280358

GENERAL BUILDER / HANDYMAN Experienced in all aspects of building work including: BRICKWORK, WALLS, PLASTERING, RE-POINTING EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR MAINTENANCE / DECORATING CONSERVATORY AND STABLE BASES PATIOS AND PAVING, LANDSCAPING AND FENCING

• Swimming Pool Installation • Repairs • Renovations • Maintenance New Liners, Heating, Filtration Comprehensive Experience Fully Insured and Guaranteed A friendly professional service Satisfaction Guaranteed

www.principools.com

Call Colin for Free quotations / References available

Telephone Neil Pearson : 01892 664004 Mobile : 07870 667932

T: 01825 700812 eves 07960 249021 mobile

Are you fed up not being able to use your conservatory all year?

Then iCon Roofs have the thermally efficient solution.

Is dramatically warmer in winter Is quick to install with little disruption Does not lose too much light

Is significantly cooler in summer Is effective in reducing rain noise and glare Carries an insurance backed guarantee

… and complies with current building regulations

To find out more please call 01825 768077 or email: hello@sussexliving.com April19 SLE Classified.indd 81

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 81

27/03/2019 13:29

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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$ SUSSEX LIVING MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Sussex Living Ltd (East Sussex Edition) PO Box 287, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 9ED Tel: 01825 768077 www.sussexliving.com Registered Address/Head Office 128 High Street, Hurstpierpoint , West Sussex BN6 9PX

/sussexliving

SBI supply and install top quality canopies, contemporary or traditional styles to suit your property. Create extra living space whilst protecting you from the sun, rain and ultraviolet rays.

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2!3$0(!40((0*'/!#*!50(',!

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CALL NOW 0800 0742 721!sbiproductsltd.co.uk!

PUZZLE Solutions CROSSWORD

From p60 of the Sussex Living East March Issue

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MANAGING EDITOR Adele Trathan adele@sussexliving.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Sara Whatley editorial@sussexliving.com EDITORIAL SUPPORT Robert Veitch DESIGN AND ARTWORK Jo Grey, Stephen King, Ruth Preston ADVERTISING Adele Trathan, Chris Tindley hello@sussexliving.com PROOFREADER Diane Clark DISTRIBUTION Colin Trathan SOCIAL MEDIA Robert Veitch FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Ian Kirwan accounts@sussexliving.com CREDIT CONTROL Michelle Brett creditcontrol@sussexliving.com CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Kay, Flo Whitaker, Helen Stockton, Kathy Brown, Lisa de Silva, Narratives, Peter d’Aguilar, Peter Erridge, Robin Stevenson, Robert Veitch, Sofia Akin, Sasha Kanal PRINTED BY www.magprint.co.uk

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@sussexliving

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C

Part of The Media Sound Holdings group INCORPORATING MAGNET MAGAZINE Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all materials submitted to Sussex Living we cannot accept r­ esponsibility for loss or ­damage to such ­materials. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Sussex Living can take no ­responsibility for omissions or errors. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited ­submissions or the return of submitted items.

Please recycle this magazine

Sussex Living always welcomes feedback, but if you do have any complaints which cannot be resolved by us please contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation, c/o IPSO, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG, or via complaints@ipso. co.uk. For further information about IPSO and its regulators visit ipso.co.uk

82 SUSSEX LIVING | April 2019

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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To find out more please call 01825 768077 or email: hello@sussexliving.com April19 SLE Classified.indd 83

April 2019 | SUSSEX LIVING 83

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April19 SLE 84 116 p01-07, 100 Classified.indd Magnet Nov 17.indd

27/03/2019 15:52 13:30 27/10/2017